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Capitol Police said on Monday they had cleared a lieutenant who shot dead a rioter inside the Capitol in the Jan.6 attack, after a full investigation found he had acted legally and had potentially saved lawmakers and aides from serious injury or death.
The ministry’s decision to formally close the case follows a Justice Ministry ruling in April that the charges against the officer were not justified in the shooting death of veteran Ashli Babbitt of the 35-year-old Air Force, Jan.6. Babbitt was among a crowd of Trump supporters who began to force their way through the entrance to the President’s Lobby, a hallway just off the floor of the House, as officers evacuated lawmakers from the chamber .
According to video of the encounter, as members of the crowd smashed glass doors to the hall, Ms Babbitt attempted to climb through a hole in the glass and a police lieutenant on the other side fired a single shot, Touching her in the left shoulder. After being taken to hospital, she died.
“The officer’s actions in this case have potentially saved members and staff from serious injury and possible death from a large crowd of rioters,” Capitol Police said on Monday, noting lawmakers were not only “a few steps”.
“If the doors were pierced, the rioters would have immediate access to the chambers of the Chamber,” the statement said.
Ms Babbitt was one of five people who died in the assault on the Capitol and immediately after. She has become a figure of martyrdom for some on the far right.
Capitol Police investigators “have determined that the officer’s conduct was legal and in accordance with departmental policy, which says that an officer may only use lethal force when he reasonably believes the action is. in the defense of human life, including the officer’s own life, or in the defense of anyone in immediate danger of serious bodily harm, ”the statement read.
The agency said it would not identify the lieutenant because the officer and the officer’s family “have been the subject of numerous credible and specific threats for actions that were taken in connection with the work. of all our officers: defending Congress, members, staff and the democratic process.
Lawmakers credited the Capitol Police officer who shot Ms Babbitt with saving their lives, but increasingly, some on the far right have sought to set their base on fire because of the shooting.
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