Ashli Babbitt’s family to get nearly $5M in government settlement
by Jeremy Tanner
(NEXSTAR) – The U.S. government has agreed to pay nearly $5 million to the family of Ashli Babbitt, the Jan. 6 rioter who was fatally shot by police during the 2021 attack on the Capitol, according to multiple reports on Monday.
The Washington Post first reported the settlement, citing two people “briefed on the matter” who said the Trump administration has agreed to it, with roughly one-third of the money going to the lawyers representing Babbitt’s family.
“I am extremely disappointed and disagree with this settlement. In 2021, the DOJ investigation determined no wrongdoing by police. This settlement sends a chilling message to law enforcement nationwide, especially to those with a protective mission like ours,” Tom Manger, the outgoing U.S. Capitol Police chief, said in a statement to The Hill.
The settlement follows a $30 million lawsuit Babbitt’s family filed last year.
Husband of deceased Jan. 6 rioter Ashli Babbitt files wrongful death suit against government
The Babbitt family’s lawyers and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Hill also requested comment from a former lawyer for the Babbitt family, who intervened in the case to be paid for past work.
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Babbitt, a 35-year-old Air Force veteran from San Diego, was unarmed when she was shot by the police lieutenant when she tried to climb through the door as others in the mob pressed to get into the lobby outside the House chamber.
The lawsuit alleged that the officer, who was not in uniform, failed to deescalate the situation and did not give her any warnings or commands before opening fire. It also alleged negligence on the part of Capitol Police. The lawsuit said the department “should have known” that the officer was “prone to behave in a dangerous or otherwise incompetent manner.”
“Ashli posed no threat to the safety of anyone,” the lawsuit said.
The Capitol Police officer said in a televised interview that he fired as a “last resort.” When he pulled the trigger, he said, he had no idea whether the person jumping through the window was armed.
President Trump in January pardoned, commuted the prison sentences or ordered the dismissal of all of the cases of the 1,500-plus people charged with crimes in the riot.
Ella Lee and The Associated Press contributed to this report, which was last updated at 7:45 p.m. EDT.
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