The husband of Ashli Babbitt, a 35-year-old Air Force veteran fatally shot during the events of January 6, 2021, at the Capitol, has initiated a $30 million lawsuit against the U.S. government. This move underscores a continuing quest for accountability and justice in a case that has stirred considerable debate nationwide.
Aaron Babbitt’s lawsuit, backed by the conservative legal group Judicial Watch, alleges wrongful death, assault and battery and various forms of negligence by the government. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.
The complaint filed in the lawsuit paints a picture of Babbitt as a patriot who traveled from San Diego to Washington D.C. to support President Donald Trump’s rally on the day Congress was set to consider the votes of the Electoral College. It emphasizes her non-violent intentions and underscores the absence of any unlawful or nefarious purpose on her part.
The case claims that Lt. Michael Byrd of the Capitol Police, who shot Babbitt, failed to meet the necessary standards for the use of force. Babbitt, unarmed and allegedly not posing a direct threat, became the only fatality of the riot due to an officer’s action. According to the lawsuit, Byrd’s decision to fire was hasty and lacked the essential assessment of the situation. This argument gains gravity from Byrd’s prior record, including an incident where he left his service weapon in a public bathroom and his suspension for failing to meet firearm qualification requirements.
The suit brings to light Babbitt’s prolonged suffering post-shooting, a detail that adds to the gravity of the case. It argues that she remained conscious, in extreme pain and fear, for minutes after being shot, challenging the narrative of an instant, necessary action by Lt. Byrd. This aspect of the lawsuit speaks to a broader concern among conservatives about the accountability and transparency of law enforcement in politically charged situations.
The Babbitt family’s pursuit of justice through this lawsuit will continue to be a focal point for discussions about protesters’ rights, law enforcement responsibilities and the search for truth in an era of deep political divisions.
