San Diego, CA – The family of Ashli Babbitt, an Air Force veteran who was fatally shot during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, has filed a $30 million wrongful death lawsuit against the U.S. government. The lawsuit alleges that Babbitt was “ambushed” by a U.S. Capitol Police officer, who shot her without any warning or commands. The Department of Justice decided not to pursue criminal charges against the officer, Lt. Michael Byrd, and the U.S. Capitol Police stated that he would not face internal discipline.
The lawsuit, filed just before the three-year anniversary of the attack, claims that Babbitt attended then-President Donald Trump’s rally on January 6 and peacefully walked to the Capitol, like many other patriotic Americans. The family asserts that Babbitt did not go to Washington as part of an unlawful or nefarious group and was simply exercising her God-given American liberties and freedoms.
According to the lawsuit, Babbitt was unarmed and posed no threat to anyone’s safety when she was shot. The complaint alleges that Byrd, who was not in uniform, did not identify himself as a police officer before opening fire. Additionally, the lawsuit claims that no members of Congress were present in the area where Babbitt was shot, and it was guarded by multiple armed police officers.
The shooting of Ashli Babbitt was captured on footage taken inside the U.S. Capitol, showing the moments leading up to the incident as President Trump’s supporters rushed toward the Speaker’s Lobby. In an interview with NBC News, Lt. Byrd stated that he pulled the trigger as a last resort to protect the lives of members of Congress and himself.
Ashli Babbitt was one of five individuals who lost their lives during the January 6 insurrection. Over 1,000 people have since been prosecuted for their involvement in the breach, including former President Trump.
In conclusion, the family of Ashli Babbitt has filed a $30 million wrongful death lawsuit against the U.S. government, alleging that she was shot without warning by a U.S. Capitol Police officer. The lawsuit emphasizes that Babbitt attended the rally peacefully and did not pose a threat to anyone’s safety. The Department of Justice declined to pursue criminal charges against the officer involved.