Ashli Babbitt shooting was lawful, unnamed Capitol Police officer cleared, internal review finds

The U.S. Capitol Police found the fatal shooting of Ashli Babbitt during the Jan. 6 riot was lawful, and the officer, whose name will remain concealed, will not be disciplined over the deadly use of force.

"If the doors were breached, the rioters would have immediate access to the House Chambers," the U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement Monday. "The actions of the officer in this case potentially saved Members and staff from serious injury and possible death from a large crowd of rioters who forced their way into the U.S. Capitol and to the House Chamber where Members and staff were steps away." The department’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) "determined the officer's conduct was lawful and within Department policy, which says an officer may use deadly force only when the officer reasonably believes that action is in the defense of human life, including the officer's own life, or in the defense of any person in immediate danger of serious physical injury."