Ashli Babbitt death: Capitol officer who shot MAGA rioter had 31 bullets, feared 'he might need them all'
Ashli Babbitt was shot dead by on-duty officers after storming the Capitol building on January 6, 2021. Inside details of the unnamed police offices were revealed on January 24, where he had reportedly described his confusion in the moments before he opened fire during the siege. During the 2021 storming of the US Capitol, Babbitt was fatally shot by Capitol Police as she attempted to climb through a shattered window. It is now revealed that the police lieutenant who shot the MAGA supporter rioter had 31 bullets in his possession and did not know three more Capitol police officers were guarding the door.
On January 7, it was revealed in a statement by the police that as protesters forced their way toward the House Chamber where Members of Congress were sheltering in place, a USCP employee discharged his service weapon, striking an adult female. As per the statement, “medial assistance was rendered immediately, and the female was transported to the hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries. She has been identified as Ashli Babbitt.”
Who shot Ashli Babbitt?
As per the detailed report, the officer in charge has been placed on administrative leave while his actions are reviewed by the federal authorities. The details of the veteran officer’s account were revealed for the first time by The New York Times. Late Air Force veteran Babbitt was killed as she tried to climb through a broken window. The cop in question did not know there had been three other cops guarding the door. The revealed footage shows that the three cops who guarded the entrance had no riot gear in their possession. The Capital Lieutenant stated that he had only seen the mob advancing towards him, trying themselves to get into congressional chambers.
The footage that helps the federal authorities conduct their research shows three police officers safeguarding the door, with one saying, “They’re ready to roll.” But they reportedly leave the door unguarded as the mob continues to try and break down the Capitol building doors. The officer added that he did not know if anyone from the crowd was armed or not. He said that he had used tables and chairs to barricade the door to the highly restricted area and said he had 31 rounds in his gun.
“He had 31 rounds for his service weapon, and he has told others that he feared he might need them all,” reads the report.
The unnamed lieutenant revealed that he had heard on the news that Trump’s supporters will be converging on the Capitol Building. However, the first time the protests were discussed with him was when he arrived to work in the morning. As per his accord, they had not given any planning to counter any sort of violent riot.
Ashli Babbitt's husband remembers late wife
Babbitt, who served four tours with the US Air Force, was a high-level security official when employed by the government. After her death, Metropolitan Police Department launched an investigation into her death. Her husband said that his late wife was a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump. “She didn’t have any weapons on her, I don’t know why she had to die in the People’s House,” her husband, Aaron, said. “She was voicing her opinion, and she got killed for it.”