capitol police riot jan 6 shooting

Former President Trump Wished Ashli Babbitt A Happy Birthday, Calls For DOJ To Reopen Investigation

On Sunday, family, supporters, and friends gathered at a “Texas Loves Ashli Babbitt” rally in Freeport, where Babbitt would have turned 36.

Ashli Babbitt, a veteran from San Diego, was killed by an officer who fired a shot as she climbed through a broken window at the January 6 Capitol riot.

The Department of Justice declined to bring charges in April against the officer who shot the 35-year-old woman, saying he acted in self-defense.

“Specifically, the investigation revealed no evidence to establish that, at the time the officer fired a single shot at Ms. Babbitt, the officer did not reasonably believe that it was necessary to do so in self-defense or in defense of the Members of Congress and others evacuating the House Chamber,” the Department of Justice said.

The police department has “failed to comply” with the Freedom of Information Act request, the lawsuit says. They didn’t provide the information to Aaron Babbitt or notify him he would not be given access by the May 12 deadline, according to CNBC.

Terrell Roberts, the Babbitt family attorney, told CNBC the imminent legal action would allege the Capitol police violated Babbitt’s constitutional right against the use of excessive force. They will also challenge the possible “failure” to train and supervise the officer who killed Ashli Babbitt.

Joining the crowd on Sunday, via video message, was Former President Donald Trump, in part saying, “There was no reason Ashli should have lost her life that day. We must all demand justice for Ashli and her family,”

“Together, we grieve her terrible loss. There was no reason Ashli should’ve lost her life that day. We must all demand justice for Ashli and her family, so on this solemn occasion as we celebrate her life, we renew our call for a fair and nonpartisan investigation into the death of Ashli Babbitt,” Trump said in the video.

The officer who shot Babbitt was exonerated in August 2021, according to a Capitol Police Department memo.

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