The family of Ashli Babbitt, who was killed by a Capitol Police officer during the January 6 riot, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, seeking $30 million in damages. The suit, filed by her husband, accuses the officer of wrongful death, assault, and negligence. Federal prosecutors and a Capitol Police probe previously found the officer's actions justified, deeming them as self-defense or defense of others. The officer, Lt. Michael Byrd, was cleared of wrongdoing, but Babbitt's death remains a polarizing issue, with some on the far right viewing her as a martyr.
The family of Ashli Babbitt, who was killed during the January 6 Capitol riot, has filed a $30 million wrongful death lawsuit against the U.S. government, claiming she was "ambushed" by a Capitol Police officer without warning. The officer, Lt. Michael Byrd, who shot Babbitt as she tried to climb through a barricaded door, was cleared of criminal charges by the DOJ and faced no internal discipline. The lawsuit argues Babbitt was unarmed and not a threat, while Byrd contends he shot her as a last resort to protect Congress members and officers.
Aaron Babbitt, the husband of Ashli Babbitt who was killed during the January 6 Capitol riot, has filed a $30 million wrongful death lawsuit against the U.S. government, represented by Judicial Watch. The suit claims that Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd was negligent in shooting Babbitt as she attempted to climb through a door near the House chamber, alleging she was not a threat and was ambushed without warning. Byrd, who was exonerated after the incident, has stated he believes his actions were necessary to protect lives that day.
Bodycam footage released by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department shows the fatal shooting of Niani Finlayson, 27, by Deputy Ty Shelton during a domestic violence incident in Lancaster, CA. Finlayson, armed with a kitchen knife, was shot after opening her apartment door to deputies and moving towards her boyfriend while holding the weapon. The boyfriend was arrested for child abuse and assault but released pending investigation. The shooting is under review by the sheriff's department and the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office, while Finlayson's family has filed a $30 million wrongful death lawsuit.
