Proud Boy Named ‘Milkshake’ Who Yelled ‘Fucking Take the Capitol’ Got Arrested

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A man who goes by Milkshake once told us that he attends Proud Boy events because he “likes beer” and was “aroused” by the American flag.

But as of Thursday, Milkshake, whose real name is Daniel Scott Lyons, is facing a slew of federal charges for his alleged actions at the Capitol on January 6. And he’s probably wishing he stuck to beer and flags—as do Proud Boy leaders, who were apparently trying to be stealth in their alleged plot to storm the U.S. Capitol on January 6.

Milkshake, described in court documents as a “tall, hairy, overweight” man wearing a ballistic vest, was seen on a Proud Boy livestream skulking around the vicinity of the Capitol with other members of the far-right street fighting gang, before former President Donald Trump had even finished speaking at the main event by the Ellipse. 

At one point, an apparently titillated Milkshake exclaimed, “Let’s take the fucking Capitol!

“Let’s not fucking yell that, alright?” someone else replied.

“It was Milkshake, man,” added Ethan Nordean, aka Rufio Panman, a prominent Proud Boy who is facing conspiracy charges for his alleged actions that day. “You know... Idiot”

Federal prosecutors used video footage and photos to recreate Milkshake’s movements on January 6. They identified him on the frontlines of a melée at the lower west terrace of the Capitol, and say he shoved several officers in an effort to push past them. They also say he grabbed an officer and pulled him into the crowd—several other officers had to fight through to try and get him out. 

Milkshake, who is originally from Florida but currently lives in Seattle, was charged with assaulting federal officers, trespassing, violent conduct, and obstruction of Congress on Thursday.

Milkshake has been involved with the Proud Boys since at least 2020. Prosecutors cite an article by Wonkette from May 2020, titled “Proud Boys Tore Down a COVID-19 Memorial Because Caring That People Died Is For Commies,” featuring a picture of him wearing a tactical vest emblazoned with PROUD BOY. 

Thirty of the 526 defendants who have so far been charged in relation to the Capitol attack have ties to the Proud Boys, and their role in January 6 has come under increasing scrutiny. Several prominent leaders are facing serious conspiracy charges. One member, Dominic Pezzola aka Spazzo, smashed the window of the Capitol— the first breach of the building. 

VICE News interviewed Milkshake at an “End Antifa” rally in Portland, Oregon, last September. He was, again, wearing his tactical vest—and had his PROUD BOY tattoo clearly displayed on his arm. He’d also brought bear spray with him for “self-defense.” During the interview, he repeatedly bemoaned what he saw as leftist violence inflicted against cops. But bottom line, he said, he was there for the beer. 

“I came here because they said there's going to be beer and the American flag arouses me,” Milkshake said. “It just makes me feel really patriotic, you know? That's what I like to feel.”

Gavin McInnes was a co-founder of VICE. He left the company in 2008 and has had no involvement since then. He later founded the Proud Boys in 2016.