Officer Who Fatally Shot Ashli Babbitt​ Won't Face Discipline

SAN DIEGO, CA — A U.S. Capitol police officer who fatally shot a San Diego woman during the January insurrection at the U.S. Capitol building will not face internal discipline, the department announced Monday.

The officer's "conduct was lawful and within department policy," according to a U.S. Capitol police statement released Monday indicating the department had completed an internal investigation into the Jan. 6 shooting death of 35-year-old Ashli Babbitt.

USCP officials said they were not releasing the officer's name out of safety concerns.

"This officer and the officer's family have been the subject of numerous credible and specific threats for actions that were taken as part of the job of all our officers: defending the Congress, members, staff and the democratic process," USCP's statement read. "The actions of the officer in this case potentially saved members and staff from serious injury and possible death from a large crowd of rioters who forced their way into the U.S. Capitol and to the House Chamber where members and staff were steps away."

The announcement followed a Department of Justice announcement in April that stated the officer would not face criminal prosecution.

Video footage from the Jan. 6 raid showed that Babbitt, a 14-year Air Force veteran, was shot while climbing through the busted-out window of a door to the Speaker's Lobby.

Officers barricaded the doorway with furniture to stop the crowd from entering the Speaker's Lobby and the Chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Babbitt was one of five people who died during the insurrection, including a police officer.
Babbitt's family previously filed a lawsuit seeking records identifying the officer. An attorney representing the family also previously indicated he would be filing a wrongful death and excessive force lawsuit in connection with the shooting.

— City News Service