Fact Check: The officer had acted lawfully in shooting Babbitt, according to an investigation by the U.S. Capitol Police.

Fact Check: "The officer had acted lawfully in shooting Babbitt, according to an investigation by the U.S. Capitol Police."

What We Know

On April 14, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it would not pursue criminal charges against the U.S. Capitol Police officer involved in the shooting of Ashli Babbitt. The investigation concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution, as the officer acted in self-defense and in defense of others during the January 6 Capitol riot (Department of Justice Closes Investigation into the Death ...).

The United States Capitol Police (USCP) also conducted an internal investigation, which confirmed that the officer's conduct was lawful and consistent with department policy. This policy allows for the use of deadly force when an officer reasonably believes it is necessary to defend human life, including their own, or to protect others from serious physical injury (USCP Completes Internal Investigation into the January 6 ...). The investigation found that Babbitt was part of a mob attempting to breach the Speaker's Lobby, which posed an imminent threat to the safety of Members of Congress and staff (Killing of Ashli Babbitt).

Analysis

The investigations by both the U.S. Department of Justice and the USCP were thorough, involving the review of video footage, witness statements, and physical evidence from the scene. The DOJ's findings emphasized that to prove a violation of federal civil rights laws, it must be established that the officer acted willfully and with intent to deprive Babbitt of her constitutional rights. The investigation found no evidence to support such a claim, concluding that the officer reasonably believed that the use of force was necessary (Evaluating the Police Shooting of Ashli Babbitt).

The USCP's internal investigation corroborated these findings, stating that the officer's actions were lawful and potentially saved lives during a chaotic and dangerous situation. The officer faced credible threats following the incident, indicating the high-stakes environment in which the decision was made (Capitol Police officer exonerated in Ashli Babbitt shooting on ...).

Both investigations were conducted by credible authorities—the DOJ and the USCP—whose findings are supported by established legal standards regarding the use of force by law enforcement. The conclusions drawn from these investigations are consistent with the principles of self-defense and the protection of public safety.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that the officer acted lawfully in shooting Ashli Babbitt is supported by thorough investigations conducted by both the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Capitol Police. Both investigations concluded that the officer's actions were justified under the circumstances, as they were aimed at preventing further violence and protecting the lives of individuals inside the Capitol.

Sources

1. Department of Justice Closes Investigation into the Death ...
2. USCP Completes Internal Investigation into the January 6 ...
3. Killing of Ashli Babbitt
4. Evaluating the Police Shooting of Ashli Babbitt
5. Capitol Police chief: DOJ settlement in Jan. 6 shooting of ...
6. Case Study of The Ashli Babbitt Case: Justified Deadly ...
7. Outgoing Capitol Police chief blasts reported settlement in ...
8. Capitol Police officer exonerated in Ashli Babbitt shooting on ...