Federal prosecutors said Wednesday that they would not file charges against the U.S. Capitol Police officer who shot and killed Ashli Babbitt during the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol.
Babbitt, who was 35, was one of the five people who died as a result of the riot as supporters of former President Trump overran the Capitol while Congress was preparing to certify President Biden’s Electoral College victory.
Her shooting was captured on video just outside the House chambers where a crowd was trying to make its way past police.
In a statement on Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Washington, D.C., said that after investigating the shooting, prosecutors found “no evidence to establish beyond a reasonable doubt ” that it was unlawful.
“Specifically, the investigation revealed no evidence to establish that, at the time the officer fired a single shot at Ms. Babbitt, the officer did not reasonably believe that it was necessary to do so in self-defense or in defense of the Members of Congress and others evacuating the House Chamber,” the statement reads. “Acknowledging the tragic loss of life and offering condolences to Ms. Babbitt’s family, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and U.S. Department of Justice have therefore closed the investigation into this matter.”
Prosecutors did not identify the officer who fired the single shot that struck Babbitt as she was climbing over a barricade erected outside an area known as the Speaker’s Lobby.
Babbitt was reportedly unarmed when she was shot.
According to the press release, officials from the Metropolitan Police Department’s internal affairs division have informed Babbitt’s family of the decision not to bring criminal charges.
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Federal prosecutors will not bring charges against officer who shot Ashli Babbitt https://t.co/WzLWSLIeA7 pic.twitter.com/wswg7nteGs
— The Hill (@thehill) April 15, 2021
Since people are doing the revisionist game tonight regarding Ashli Babbit, let's review what actually happened.
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) April 15, 2021
“They can try and try and try but the storm is here and it is descending upon DC in less than 24 hours …. dark to light!” she tweeted the day before her death.
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) April 15, 2021
“F**k the blue,” the men with her yelled. “We will make a path, deadass,” yelled one of the men to the police officers blocking their access to the Speaker’s Lobby.
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) April 15, 2021
“Break it down,” the crowd chanted. “Let’s f**king go,” they yelled. “Go! Go!,” Babbitt herself shouted as the protestors smashed windows. “There’s a gun. There’s a gun,” some in the crowd yelled.
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) April 15, 2021
Ms. Babbitt believed the election had been stolen. A patriot and combat veteran, she intended to defend the American republic. But she was actually deluded and on the side of a lie she had become convinced was real. That lie led her to her death.
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) April 15, 2021
The truth matters more than your tribe and some of you know this and do not care. Shame on y'all.
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) April 15, 2021
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