Trump administration reaches settlement with family of Ashli Babbitt, rioter killed on Jan. 6, 2021
CBSN
The Trump administration has reached a settlement with the family Ashli Babbitt, the Trump supporter who was shot and killed while in the mob breaching the House Speaker's Lobby on Jan. 6, 2021.
Multiple sources told CBS News the settlement has been reached in principle but is not yet signed. In a court proceeding Friday, a plaintiff's attorney confirmed the settlement in principle was reached. It would avert a trial and further proceedings in a $30 million civil suit filed on behalf of Babbitt's estate, including her late husband, by the conservative activist group Judicial Watch.
Babbitt's death was a rallying point for Trump loyalists and Capitol rioters who alleged police used unnecessary force in stopping the mob on Jan. 6. In the civil lawsuit, Babbitt's estate alleged U.S. Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd was negligent in the issue of force and his firearm. The suit also argued Byrd was not in uniform and was wearing a COVID mask when he opened fire against Babbitt. The suit accused Byrd of failing to "de-escalate."
