The family of a woman who was fatally shot during the 2021 Capitol riot is filing a lawsuit against the U.S. government. The lawsuit, filed in a U.S. District Court in California, accuses the U.S. of negligence and wrongful death. The woman, Ashli Babbitt, was shot and killed by U.S. Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd during the riot on January 6, 2021.
The lawsuit, represented by conservative activist group Judicial Watch, seeks $30 million in damages. According to Babbitt’s husband, she was unarmed and posed no threat when she was shot. The lawsuit alleges that Byrd ambushed Babbitt and that multiple people witnessed the incident, with some saying, “You just murdered her.”
The shooting of Ashli Babbitt has been a subject of controversy, with different opinions on whether it was justified. The U.S. Capitol Police conducted an internal review and cleared Byrd of any wrongdoing, stating that he might have saved lives by his actions. The Justice Department also declined to file charges against Byrd, citing a lack of evidence to prove wrongdoing.
The Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to dozens of police officers. Over 1,100 rioters have been charged in the aftermath of the event. The shooting of Ashli Babbitt has become a focal point of the broader conversation surrounding the riot and its consequences.
It is important to note that neither Judicial Watch nor the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of California have provided immediate comments on the lawsuit. Byrd, the officer involved in the shooting, has publicly stated that he has faced death threats since the incident.
In conclusion, the family of Ashli Babbitt is seeking justice through a lawsuit against the U.S. government. The shooting has sparked debates and differing opinions on the actions of Lt. Michael Byrd. The Capitol riot continues to have legal and political implications as investigations and legal proceedings unfold.