Ashley Babbitt was fatally shot by a Capitol Police officer during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. Babbitt, a 35-year-old Air Force veteran, was among a group of insurrectionists attempting to breach the Speaker’s Lobby, a secure area near the House chamber. Babbitt attempted to climb through a broken window of a barricaded door when an officer, who had been stationed in that location to protect members of Congress and staff, fired a single shot, striking her in the shoulder.
She later died from her injuries. The Department of Justice later determined that the officer acted lawfully and within their duties to protect lawmakers and staff during the violent insurrection. The incident remains a focal point of misinformation about the events of January 6 and has been a polarizing topic in American politics.
Specifically, Babbitt was part of a group of rioters that breached the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. While she was not formally charged with a crime since she was killed during the event, her actions, including entering the Capitol building and attempting to climb through a broken window leading to the Speaker’s Lobby, were part of the broader illegal activities that day.
Had she been charged, her actions could have been classified as felonies including:
1. Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds (18 U.S.C. § 1752): Trespassing in a restricted area, particularly one secured by the Secret Service or designated for official government business.
2. Obstruction of an Official Proceeding (18 U.S.C. § 1512): Interfering with Congress’s certification of the Electoral College vote.
3. Destruction of Property (18 U.S.C. § 1361): Damage to government property if proven she participated or encouraged others in breaking windows or doors.