Shooting of Ashli Babbitt

On January 6, 2021, while defending against the 2021 United States Capitol attack, police shot and killed Ashli Babbitt, a participant in the attack who attempted to breach the Speaker's Lobby, where members of the United States House of Representatives were being evacuated.[1][2] This occurred as she was about to break through a security perimeter by climbing through a shattered window in a barricaded door.[3][4]

Shooting of Ashli Babbit
Part of Law enforcement response to the 2021 United States Capitol attack
DateJanuary 6, 2021
Time2:44 pm (UTC-5)
LocationUnited States Capitol, Washington, D.C., U.S.
Coordinates38°53′23″N 77°00′40″W
TypeKilling by a law enforcement officer
CauseDeadly force used while guarding the access to the Chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives
DeathsAshli Babbitt
ChargesNone

Background

In 2004, Ashli Babbitt enlisted in the United States Air Force.[5] After 2010, she served in the Air National Guard. She had reportedly been deployed in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar.[6][7]

Lin Wood and QAnon influence

Babbitt was a supporter of Donald Trump.[8] and a follower of conspiracy theorist L. Lin Wood. Posting on Twitter under the handle CommonAshSense prior to her arrival at the Capitol, Babbitt retweeted calls for the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court John Roberts to resign and accused Vice President Mike Pence of treason[9] by retweeting a list by Wood.[10] Babbitt had retweeted a January 4 reference by Wood to Roberts saying "the storm is here".[11] "The Storm" is a term used by QAnon, and Babbitt has been described as a "QAnon believer".[12]

Events

Capitol attack
Further information: Timeline of the 2021 United States Capitol attack and Law enforcement response to the 2021 United States Capitol attack
This section is an excerpt from Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election.[edit]

Starting in December, Trump repeatedly encouraged his supporters to protest in Washington, D.C., on January 6 in support of his campaign to overturn the election results,[13] telling his supporters to "Be there, will be wild!"[14] The Washington Post editorial board criticized Trump for urging street protests, referring to previous violence by some Trump supporters at two earlier rallies and his earlier statement during a presidential debate telling the Proud Boys to "stand back and stand by."[15] Multiple groups of "die-hard" Trump supporters staged rallies in Washington on that day: Women for America First; the Eighty Percent Coalition (also at Freedom Plaza) (the group's name refers to the belief that approximately 80% of Trump voters do not accept the legitimacy of Biden's win); and "The Silent Majority" (a group organized by a South Carolina conservative activist).[13][16] George Papadopoulos and Roger Stone, ardent allies of Trump, headlined some of the events. In addition to the formally organized events, the Proud Boys, other far-right groups, and white supremacists vowed to descend on Washington on January 6, with some threatening violence and pledging to carry weapons.[13] Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio said that his followers would "be incognito" and would "spread across downtown DC in smaller teams."[16]

As the certification process was underway, Trump gave a speech encouraging his supporters to march to the Capitol. Many of them did, whereupon they joined other protesters already gathered in the area and violently breached and stormed the Capitol, eventually entering the Senate chamber as well as numerous offices. The Congressional proceedings were suspended, the legislators were taken to secure locations, and Pence and later Pelosi were evacuated.[17]

Rioters occupied the empty Senate chamber while federal law enforcement officers defended the evacuated House floor.[18][19]

Attempted breach of the Speaker's Lobby and shooting

At 2:44 p.m., law enforcement was trying to "defend two fronts" to the House Chamber, and "a lot of members [of Congress] and staff that were in danger at the time".[20] [21] Pipe bombs had been discovered and Capitol Police officers had been warned that many attackers were carrying concealed weapons.[22]

Three uniformed officers were posted outside the Speaker's Lobby, adjacent to the House chambers, where they were threatened by a crowd of rioters.[1] One member of the mob yelled "Fuck the Blue".[1] One officer guarding the door told the others "They're ready to roll", and the three officers moved away from the door.[1] No longer impeded by police, one rioter, Zachary Jordan Alam, smashed a glass window leading to the Speaker's Lobby.[23][24] Babbitt was warned not to proceed through the window: one witness recalled that "A number of police and Secret Service were saying 'Get back! Get down! Get out of the way!'; [Babbitt] didn't heed the call."[25]

As lawmakers were being evacuated by Capitol Police, Babbitt attempted to climb through a shattered window in a barricaded door and was shot in the neck/shoulder by Capitol Police Lieutenant Michael Byrd. Babbitt died from the wound.[26][27][28][29]

Republican Representative Markwayne Mullin, a witness to Babbit's attempted breach, said that the Capitol Police "didn't have a choice" but to shoot, and that this action "saved people's lives".[20][30]

Reactions

The shooting was recorded on several cameras, and footage was widely circulated.[31] John Earle Sullivan, who recorded footage of the shooting, was arrested for his role in the attack.[32] Babbitt has been called a martyr by far-right extremists,[33] which has been compared to the Nazi glorification of Horst Wessel.[34][35] Former president Trump recorded a video message arguing that "There was no reason Ashli should've lost her life that day. We must all demand justice for Ashli and her family".[36][37][38]

Following the routine process for shootings by Capitol Police officers, the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia and the United States Department of Justice investigated Babbitt's death and made a determination that the shooting was "lawful and within Department policy".[23][39][40][41]

References
  1. Swaine, Jon; Bennett, Dalton; Lee, Joyce Sohyun; Kelly, Meg (January 8, 2021). "Video shows fatal shooting of Ashli Babbitt in the Capitol". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  2. Ellen Barry, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs and Dave Philipps (January 8, 2021). "Woman Killed in Capitol Embraced Trump and QAnon". New York Times.
  3. Italiano, Laura (2021-01-07). "Video shows the moment Ashli Babbitt was fatally shot in Capitol". New York Post. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  4. "Protester Shot and Killed Inside U.S. Capitol Was From Ocean Beach". Times of San Diego. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  5. Figueroa, Teri; Riggins, Alex. "Family says woman fatally shot in U.S. Capitol was Ocean Beach resident". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  6. Losey, Stephen (Jan 7, 2021). "Woman shot and killed at Capitol was security forces airman, QAnon adherent". Air Force Times.
  7. Mitchell, Ellen (Jan 7, 2021). "Woman fatally shot by Capitol Police during riot was 12 year Air Force veteran". The Hill.
  8. "Woman shot dead in US Capitol was Air Force veteran, Trump supporter". Straits Times. January 6, 2021.
  9. Mordock, Jeff. "Woman killed at Capitol identified as Air Force veteran". Washington Times.
  10. Keller, Aaron (January 6, 2021). "Pro-Trump Woman Shot and Killed at U.S. Capitol Retweeted Attorney Lin Wood's 'Must Be Done' List Before She Died". Law & Crime. A Twitter account linked to Babbitt, which was reviewed extensively by Law&Crime Wednesday night, indicates that Babbitt was a staunch QAnon adherent who retweeted dozens of conspiracy-theory-laden missives originally posted by Georgia attorney L. Lin Wood.
  11. Beckett, Lois; Ho, Vivian (January 9, 2021). "'She was deep into it': Ashli Babbitt, killed in Capitol riot, was devoted conspiracy theorist". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2021-01-09.
  12. "Ashli Babbitt, Trump Supporter Killed In Capitol Riot, Was QAnon Believer Who Tweeted 'The Storm Is Here'". Inquisitr. January 7, 2021. Ashli Babbitt tweeted “the storm is here” ahead of a violent protest
  13. Lang, Marissa J. (December 30, 2020). "Jan. 6 protests multiply as Trump continues to call supporters to Washington". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  14. Shaw, Adam (December 19, 2020). "Trump promises 'wild' protest in Washington DC on Jan 6, claims it's 'impossible' he lost". Fox News. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  15. Editorial Board (December 30, 2020). "Trump is inciting chaos on Jan. 6, both in and outside the Capitol". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  16. Jackson, David; Brown, Matthew (January 2, 2021). "'Wild' protests: Police brace for pro-Trump rallies when Congress meets Jan 6 to certify Biden's win". USA Today. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  17. Feldman, Josh (January 6, 2021). "Trump Supporters Breach Capitol Building as Violent Clashes Continue". Mediaite. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  18. Macias, Amanda; Mangan, Dan (January 6, 2021). "U.S. Capitol secured hours after pro-Trump rioters invade Congress". CNBC. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  19. McEvoy, Jemima (January 6, 2021). "DC Protests Live Coverage: Entire Capitol Now On Lockdown As Protesters Enter The Building". Forbes. Archived from the original on January 6, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  20. Cathey, Libby; Thorbecke, Catherine; Winsor, Morgan; Sanchez, Rosa (January 7, 2021). "Congressman recalls moment woman was shot inside Capitol building". ABC News. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  21. Mascaro, Lisa; Fox, Ben; Baldor, Lolita C. (2021-04-10). "'Clear the Capitol', Pence pleaded, timeline of riot shows". AP NEWS. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
  22. Tan, Rebecca; Jamison, Peter; Leonnig, Carol D.; Flynn, Meagan; Cox, John Woodrow (January 6, 2021). "Trump supporters storm U.S. Capitol, with one woman killed and tear gas fired". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 6, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  23. Evan Perez, Katelyn Polantz and Paul LeBlanc (February 2, 2021). "Investigators recommend no charges for US Capitol Police officer accused of killing pro-Trump rioter during insurrection, sources say". CNN.
  24. Don Parker (March 11, 2021). "DC-area man indicted. He was standing next to Ashli Babbitt when she was shot in Capitol". WJLA-TV.
  25. "'It could have been me but she went in first' Pro-Trump rioter saw woman shot in Capitol". WUSA9. Retrieved April 25, 2021 – via YouTube.
  26. Swaine, Jon; Bennett, Dalton; Sohyun Lee, Joyce; Kelly, Meg (January 8, 2021). "Video shows fatal shooting of Ashli Babbitt in the Capitol". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  27. Wagner, Dennis; Daniels, Melissa; Hauck, Grace (January 7, 2021). "California woman killed during Capitol riot was a military veteran and staunch Trump supporter". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021. Babbitt served in the Air Force under the married name of Ashli Elizabeth McEntee ... she had been a staunch Trump supporter
  28. "Capitol riots: A visual guide to the storming of Congress". BBC news. January 7, 2021. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  29. Goldman, Adam; Dewan, Shaila (January 23, 2021). "Inside the Deadly Capitol Shooting". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  30. Melendez, Pilar; Bredderman, William; Montgomery, Blake (January 8, 2021). "'Didn't Have a Choice': Vet Was Climbing Through Broken Window When She Was Shot Dead". The Daily Beast. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  31. Wagner, Dennis; Daniels, Melissa; Hauck, Grace (January 7, 2021). "California woman killed during Capitol riot was a military veteran and staunch Trump supporter". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021. Babbitt served in the Air Force under the married name of Ashli Elizabeth McEntee ... she had been a staunch Trump supporter
  32. Ross, Jamie (15 January 2021). "Man Who Filmed Ashli Babbitt Shooting at Capitol Charged With Joining Riot". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  33. Goldman, Adam; Dewan, Shaila (January 23, 2021). "Inside the Deadly Capitol Shooting". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2021. Since Ms. Babbitt's death, far-right extremists and white supremacists have claimed her as a martyr and a "freedom fighter", even reproducing her image on flags and with anti-Semitic imagery. Many have demanded the release of the name of the officer who shot her.
  34. Burns, Max (July 12, 2021). "Trump makes Ashli Babbitt, killed in the Capitol riot, into a martyr. Why that's so dangerous". NBC News. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  35. Frum, David (July 13, 2021). "There's a Word for What Trumpism Is Becoming". The Atlantic. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  36. Benen, Steve (12 October 2021). "Trump's rhetoric about Ashli Babbitt takes an unsettling turn". MSNBC.com. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  37. Cooper, Anderson (12 October 2021). "Trump makes video honoring fatally shot Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt - CNN Video". Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  38. Wagner, John (11 October 2021). "Trump wishes happy birthday to fatally shot Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt, calls for Justice Department to reopen investigation". The Washington Post. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  39. Aruna Viswanatha, Sadie Gurman & Tawnell D. Hobbs (February 1, 2021). "Officer Who Shot Capitol Rioter Ashli Babbitt Shouldn't Be Charged, Investigators Advise". The Wall Street Journal.
  40. Klasfeld, Adam (April 14, 2021). "Case Closed: Unidentified Police Officer Who Shot and Killed Ashli Babbitt on Jan. 6 Won't Be Charged". Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  41. Wild, Whitney; Duster, Chandelis (23 August 2021). "US Capitol Police says shooting of January 6 rioter Ashli Babbitt was 'lawful'". CNN. Retrieved 2021-08-23.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.