Jan. 6 Capitol shooting victim Ashli Babbitt
The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the death of Ashli Babbitt, a 35-year-old female Air Force soldier who was killed on Jan. 6. She was allegedly shot by Capitol Police after trying to climb through a window into the House of Representatives before she was killed, when Babbitt did not display much threat.
Michael Sherwin, the U.S. attorney representing the District of Columbia case, told CBS that his office has begun a formal investigation into whether Babbitt’s killing was linked to excessive force.
The civil rights division of the Justice Department’s office will have primary responsibility for the case, which is also being investigated by the FBI and the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department, the newspaper said.
Babbitt, who was born in California and lived in San Diego, California, had served in the Air Force for 14 years. Babbitt flew to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday for the massive rally, and she also broadcast a portion of the march live from the rally site up to the Capitol.
According to the Washington Examiner, Babbitt’s ex-husband, Timothy McEntee, said she “is a wonderful woman with a big heart and a strong mind.
“I’m in a state of shock and feel terrible for her family” and “she loved America with all her heart, soul and mind,” McEntee said. It’s a sad day.”
McEntee, who was married to Babbitt for 14 years, said they served together in the U.S. Air Force.
“(I) knew immediately it was her, but didn’t know if she was really in town, so I was initially suspicious because she lived in California,” McEntee said. “But (I) contacted a friend and he said she was at the rally.”
In addition to Babbitt, another woman, Roseanne Boyland, died after being trampled, and two other women died from medical emergencies.
The U.S. Capitol Police Department stated on Jan. 9 that Sheriff Liebengood, who was on the Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, died during off-duty hours. According to the department’s announcement, Liebengood “returned to the department office and collapsed” and “he was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.” In response, President Trump ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff at bases across the country and abroad until Jan. 13 to honor the “service and sacrifice” of law enforcement officers.
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