The U.S. government has agreed to pay almost $5 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Ashli Babbitt, the woman who was fatally shot during the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. This settlement aims to resolve the $30 million civil case brought by her estate and marks a significant legal and political development in the aftermath of the Capitol attack.
Who Was Ashli Babbitt and What Happened?
Ashli Babbitt, a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump, was part of the crowd that stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. She was shot by a Capitol Police officer while attempting to climb through a broken window that led into the Speaker’s Lobby, which is located just outside the House of Representatives’ chamber.
The shooting happened during a time when lawmakers were being evacuated for safety, and the officer involved was later cleared of any criminal wrongdoing.
What Is the Settlement About?
The nearly $5 million payment will settle the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Babbitt’s family, who had initially sought $30 million in damages. The agreement was announced by both the family’s lawyers and the U.S. Justice Department during a court hearing on May 2.
The Washington Post was the first to report the final settlement amount. The deal is still awaiting final court approval, but both sides confirmed that all terms of the lawsuit have been agreed upon.
Why Was the Officer Not Charged?
Back in April 2021, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C., concluded that no federal laws were broken by the officer who shot Babbitt. The Justice Department (DOJ) said there was no evidence showing the officer acted unlawfully. The investigation found that the officer believed the shooting was necessary to protect Members of Congress and others who were inside the House chamber at that time.
While no criminal charges were filed, the legal standards for civil lawsuits are different and allow for financial compensation even when criminal wrongdoing is not found.
Reaction from Capitol Police
Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger publicly criticized the settlement. In a statement, he said he was “extremely disappointed” and disagreed with the decision. He added that this kind of settlement could discourage law enforcement officers who are tasked with protecting high-security areas like the U.S. Capitol.
“This sends a chilling message to law enforcement nationwide,” Manger said, especially to officers with protective responsibilities.