The Department of Justice has concluded that the police officer who fatally shot Ashli Babbitt during the Capitol riot will not face criminal charges.
On January 6, 35-year-old Ashli Babbitt, an Air Force veteran from San Diego, was among the MAGA mob when they stormed the Capitol building while a joint session of Congress was in progress.
After trying to force her way into a barricaded area, the woman, who was described as an avid Trump supporter, was shot dead by one of the Capitol officers.
For months after the shooting, the authorities had been considering whether the Capitol cop responsible for killing the rioter should face criminal charges or not. Now, the Department of Justice has officially ended the investigation and concluded that federal investigators will not pursue criminal charges against the involved officer.
According to the prosecutors, they reviewed Babbitt’s autopsy report and examined the evidence from the scene of the shooting. They also reviewed the footage of the shooting and spoke to a series of witnesses and police officers before making the final decision.
“Based on that investigation, officials determined that there is insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution,” the DOJ concluded.
The prosecutors added:
“Specifically, the investigation revealed no evidence to establish that, at the time the officer fired a single shot at Ms. Babbitt, the officer did not reasonably believe that it was necessary to do so in self-defense or in defense of the Members of Congress and others evacuating the House Chamber.
“Acknowledging the tragic loss of life and offering condolences to Ms. Babbitt’s family, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and U.S. Department of Justice have therefore closed the investigation into this matter.”
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Replaced!