Officer who shot and killed woman during Capitol riot will not face criminal charges, Justice Department says

The Department of Justice will not bring charges against the Capitol Police officer who shot and killed an Air Force veteran as she climbed through a doorway inside the U.S. Capitol on January 6. Ashli Babbitt was killed as rioters broke into the Capitol while lawmakers inside were confirming the Electoral College results certifying Joe Biden's presidential victory.

An investigation found insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution, and determined that the officer could reasonably believe it was necessary to shoot Babbitt out of self defense or in defense of those evacuating the House Chamber. Babbitt, a 35-year-old from Ocean Beach California, was part of a mob that attempted to break through doors that led to the Speaker's Lobby, an area near the Chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives, where Capitol Police had been evacuating members from the House Chamber.