Posted on 04/14/2021 11:29:33 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
The U.S. Capitol Police officer who shot dead an Air Force veteran during the tumultuous events on Jan. 6 will not be charged, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Wednesday.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division decided jointly not to pursue charges against the officer.
The decision came after a “thorough investigation” into the shooting of Ashli Babbitt, a 35-year-old who joined others in storming the U.S. Capitol in Washington during a joint session of Congress in January. Babbitt was shot while trying to climb through a broken window into the Speaker’s Lobby, adjacent to the House chamber.
“Officials examined video footage posted on social media, statements from the officer involved and other officers and witnesses to the events, physical evidence from the scene of the shooting, and the results of an autopsy,” the DOJ said in a statement.
“Based on that investigation, officials determined that there is insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution.”
The officer remains unidentified in the public sphere. A lawyer representing him did not return a voicemail or an email.
Babbitt’s family was informed before the decision was publicly announced.
Terrell Roberts, an attorney for the family, told The Epoch Times that the decision was “baffling.”
“I find it to be baffling given the circumstances that it’s a clear case of shooting unarmed person without any legal justification, but I have no idea what went into their decision,” Roberts said.
The family plans to move forward with a lawsuit against the officer for an excessive use of force.
Babbitt’s death was caused by the gunshot, which hit her left shoulder, the District of Columbia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled last week. The manner of death was homicide.
The DOJ said its probe focused on seeing whether federal prosecutors could prove that the officer violated any federal laws.
“The investigation revealed no evidence to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the officer willfully committed a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 242,” it said.
“Specifically, the investigation revealed no evidence to establish that, at the time the officer fired a single shot at Ms. Babbitt, the officer did not reasonably believe that it was necessary to do so in self-defense or in defense of the Members of Congress and others evacuating the House Chamber. Acknowledging the tragic loss of life and offering condolences to Ms. Babbitt’s family, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and U.S. Department of Justice have therefore closed the investigation into this matter.”
Darn. It's a shame there is no law that mandates the identification. [/s]
Our first secret police example.
Of course at this rate, it might not be "years"....
When there is no justice there is only tyranny by brute force. The message has been received loud and clear.
So, all the rest of this month white folks gonna be all out in the streets in every major city raisin’ a ruckus, and CNN be cheerin’ ‘em on, and State Attorneys General all be, like, “Dey reason’s legit & we ain’t gonna touch ‘em.”
Right?
Right?!
I am right... Right?
‘cuz if I ain’t right, maybe I just figured out what’s f’ked up with America?
State and local LE take note: Deep State neither needs or wants you.
Think about that the next time you harass the locals over a WuFlu beef.
So when do the riots of MAGA supporters start? I thought so.
This would seem to be the problem, the fact this occurred in DC. In most any state this would have been a crime, as evidenced by the 2nd Degree Manslaughter charge against the police woman who accidentally shot the hoodlum in MN. DC is ground zero for lawlessness and corruption.
Of course not. He is black and she is white.
You’re preaching to the choir.
Her family should sue for $100,000,000.
She was sitting on her haunches on a window sill.
A six year old could have pushed her backwards.
I don’t think the officer meant to murder anyone that day, but surely something like reckless manslaughter would be appropriate.
What was that about white privilege and law enforcement interaction again?
Too bad she didn’t self identify as black.
WHAT’S THE BLACK KILLERS NAME???? This CANNOT BE HIS FIRST KILL!
This is a stinkin pile of crap.
The “investigation” approved of the use of deadly force against an unarmed individual who posed no deadly threat to the officer or anyone else.
He could had chosen 3-4 other non-deadly actions to stop or subdue her, but he chose to shoot her...
and he goes scott free.
Our f-ing world is up-side down.
So, when are we gonna start looting and burning down buildings? Oh, wait, she was white. Never mind.
Shot by a black officer? Not proven buy most likely.
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