Iced Earth Guitarist Jon Schaffer Arrested Following Involvement In US Capitol Riots

Iced Earth guitarist Jon Schaffer has been arrested following his alleged role in the US Capitol riots earlier this month. 

The FBI's Indianapolis branch has confirmed the arrest saying, "Jon Schaffer, Columbus, IN, has been arrested in connection to Jan 6 incident at the U.S. Capitol." 

"Schaffer faces 6 charges including engaging in an act of physical violence in a Capitol building. Schaffer was allegedly among rioters who sprayed Capitol police with 'bear spray'."

It was speculated that Schaffer - who has been open about his support of outgoing US President Donald Trump and has previously been seen wearing Confederate Flag paraphernalia - was involved in the riots when a photo circulated online of a man with a similar appearance to Schaffer.  

READ MORE: Iced Earth Guitarist Jon Schaffer Believed To Be Involved In US Capitol Riots

According to Blabbermouth, it's believed that Schaffer had since been identified by a German newspaper. 

"Schaffer identified himself to the German daily newspaper Die Welt, which posted a picture of the guitarist in the crowd at a demonstration supporting President Donald Trump and protesting the election results," read the story. 

"Die Welt journalist Carolina Drüten erroneously spelled Schaffer's name as 'John Schaper' but did correctly note that he traveled from his home state of Indiana to Washington, DC to attend the event."

It's reported that Schaffer told the outlet that, "They will go down. They're messing with the wrong people, believe me" and "If someone uses violence against us, we will react accordingly. We don't want that, but we are ready" when asked if he expected there to be rioting that day. 

Schaffer has not commented on the arrest.