According to reports, the Capitol police officer who fatally shot Ashli Babbit during the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol will not face any charges.
In a press release on Wednesday, the Justice Department announced that no evidence was found during the investigation that indicated the officer violated federal laws. What's more, it was determined following the investigation that there was no information found contradicting the officer's claim that he felt it necessary to fire his weapon.
"Officials examined video footage posted on social media, statements from the officer-involved and other officers and witnesses to the events, physical evidence from the scene of the shooting, and the results of an autopsy," and "based on that investigation, officials determined that there is insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution," the release stated.
The investigation determined "Babbitt was among a mob of people that entered the Capitol building and gained access to a hallway outside 'Speaker's Lobby,' which leads to the Chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives. At the time, the USCP was evacuating Members from the Chamber, which the mob was trying to enter from multiple doorways."
In a harrowing recounting of the events, the statement explained what the unidentified officer experienced:
"Members of the mob attempted to break through the doors by striking them and breaking the glass with their hands, flagpoles, helmets, and other objects. Eventually, the three USCP officers positioned outside the doors were forced to evacuate. As members of the mob continued to strike the glass doors, Ms. Babbitt attempted to climb through one of the doors where glass was broken out."
The officer "fired one round from his service pistol, striking Ms. Babbitt in the left shoulder, causing her to fall back from the doorway and onto the floor," and "a USCP emergency response team, which had begun making its way into the hallway to try and subdue the mob, administered aid to Ms. Babbitt, who was transported to Washington Hospital Center, where she succumbed to her injuries."
Source: nbcnews.com
