Capitol Police clear officer in shooting of Ashli Babbitt during Jan. 6 riot

August 24, 2021 ☼ capitol-policejan6babbitt

Source: POLITICO - Link

The Capitol Police on Monday said it had cleared of wrongdoing the officer who fatally shot Ashli Babbitt during the Jan. 6 insurrection, announcing that an internal investigation found the officer’s conduct “lawful” and would not result in discipline.

The department said in a statement that its Office of Professional Responsibility determined the officer’s actions were “lawful and within Department policy.” The Capitol Police allows officers to use deadly force “only when the officer reasonably believes that action is in the defense of human life, including the officer’s own life, or in the defense of any person in immediate danger of serious physical injury.” The Capitol Police declined to identify the officer because of “numerous credible and specific threats” against the individual, as well as family members.

The officer’s name is not released since he and his family have to be protected from the Trump mob.