Officer Who Shot Ashli Babbitt Formally Exonerated by Capitol Police

The officer who shot and killed Ashli Babbitt on January 6 has been formally exonerated by the U.S. Capitol Police.

In a Monday statement, the Capitol Police announced that the agency completed the investigation into the fatal shooting of Babbitt.

“USCP’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) determined the officer’s conduct was lawful and within Department policy, which says an officer may use deadly force only when the officer reasonably believes that action is in the defense of human life, including the officer’s own life, or in the defense of any person in immediate danger of serious physical injury,” Capitol Police said.

The statement continued, “The officer in this case, who is not being identified for the officer’s safety, will not be facing internal discipline.”

The Capitol Police noted the 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.”

The statement claims the actions of the officer “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.”

Read the statement below:

The Capitol Police added, “If the doors were breached, the rioters would have immediate access to the House Chambers. The officer’s actions were consistent with the officer’s training and USCP policies and procedures.”

According to The Washington Post, Babbitt “climbed up toward a broken section of the unguarded door” and “was shot by an officer on the other side.” She was reportedly wearing a Trump flag as a cape.