THE CAPITOL police officer who fatally shot MAGA rioter Ashli Babbitt should face no criminal charges, investigators are reportedly saying.
Police investigators made a preliminary determination that charges against the officer are not warranted in relation to Babbitt’s death, people with knowledge on the review told The Wall Street Journal on Monday.
Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt was fatally shot during the January 6 insurrectionCredit: Ashli Babbitt
The Capitol police officer who fatally shot rioter Ashli Babbit should face no criminal charges, investigators are reportedly sayingCredit: Reuters
However, officials with the Department of Justice have not come to a final determination, the sources said.
A decision on any charges against the officer would require approval from the department’s senior leadership, who reportedly have not been briefed on the issue.
A cop shot Babbitt, an Air Force veteran, as she jumped through a window into the Capitol during the insurrection on January 6.
The officer was put on leave immediately after the riot as the Justice Department opened an investigation into the shooting.
Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt was shot while climbing through a window into the CapitolCredit: Twitter
At the time, the department said it was following the routine procedure for incidents involving a police officer using deadly force.
That entailed having the Washington Metropolitan Police Department probe the matter as well.
The US attorney’s office has taken charge of a broader investigation into the riot by ex-President Donald Trump’s supporters who tried to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s victory.
So far, the office is prosecuting more than 150 cases in connection with the siege.
MAGA fans stormed the Capitol on January 6Credit: Reuters
Babbitt, 35, was one of five people who died during the riot after Trump spoke to his supporters at a rally on Capitol Hill and called on them to “fight like hell.”
She reportedly went on Facebook live draped in a Trump flag and bragged that she was part of the mob storming the Capitol.
Babbitt, of San Diego, tweeted before she died: “Nothing will stop us….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.”
Her husband, Aaron, said he sent her a text message during the riot asking for a “status check” but did not get a reply.
More to follow…
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