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Internet slams users comparing killing of Tyre Nichols to death of Ashli Babbitt

'The difference is called murder,' a user pointed out

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE: Many Internet users are comparing the murder of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols, who died after police escalated a traffic stop into a brutal beating on January 7, 2023, to the death of Ashli Babbitt, an Air Force veteran from Southern California who was among the January 6, 2021, rioters. She was shot and killed by police as she tried to break into a protected area. However, many slammed the comparison, quickly distinguishing that "Tyre Nichols was simply driving home," while "Ashli Babbitt was committing a crime."

One person wrote, "Ashli Babbitt tried crawling through a window so a mob of terrorists could reach our politicians. Comparing her to Tyre Nichols is absolutely bullshit." Another wrote, "There is a difference between Ashli Babbitt and Tyre Nichols. Why people think they are the same is beyond me. One tried to overthrow the govt. The other was handcuffed and beaten to death by 5 cops."

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Many continued their bashing, with one user writing, "Ashli Babbitt was committing a crime while actively participating in violence. Tyre Nichols was pulled from his car by a violent gang of men. There is absolutely no comparison. MAGA, I know it’s uncomfortable for you but it’s ok to be on the right side of humanity for once." "Ashli Babbitt was traitor who was storming the capital with an armed mob with the intent to overthrow democracy in America and murder members of Congress and the VP. Tyre Nichols was simply driving home. They are not the same," commented another. One concluded by saying, "Ashli Babbitt was given the opportunity to just stop what she was doing and walk away. Tyre Nichols was beaten by 5 men while he was handcuffed. Sure, neither complied, but Nichols was in custody while he was basically being beaten to death. The difference is called murder."

Death of Tyre Nichols

According to CNN, a "confrontation" occurred between the officers and Nichols, who then fled on foot, Memphis police said. The officers apprehended him and "another confrontation" ensued, resulting in Nichols' arrest. Pepper spray was used during the initial confrontation, and Nichols ran away, Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said, according to the newspaper. However, officers "found him again at another location, and at that point there was an amount of aggression that is unexplainable. There was another altercation at a nearby location, at which the serious injuries were experienced by Mr Nichols. After some period of time of waiting around afterward, he was taken away by an ambulance," Mulroy said.

His death resulted in second-degree murder charges against five officers, Desmond Mills Jr, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, and Justin Smith, as previously reported.

Death of Ashli Babbitt

Lt Michael Byrd, the officer who fatally shot Ashli Babbitt during the January 6 riot, said, that the unarmed rioter was “posing a threat” to Congress. He told NBC Nightly News’ Lester Holt, as quoted by CNBC in August 2021, "I had been yelling and screaming as loud as I was, ‘Please stop, get back, get back.' You’re ultimately hoping your commands will be complied with, and unfortunately they were not." Byrd shot Babbitt, who was part of a group of pro-Trump rioters, as she attempted to climb through an opening in a barricaded door where a glass panel had broken out, reports CNBC.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.