The demonstrator who was shot and killed by police during a pro-Donald Trump mob’s storming of the US Capitol building has been identified as Ashli Babbitt, an Air Force veteran from San Diego.
The 35-year-old woman was reportedly a resident of San Diego’s Ocean Beach neighborhood. During her 14 years in the Air Force, she served four foreign military tours of duty, including to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Babbitt was in DC to participate in the January 6 pro-Trump rally against Joe Biden’s election victory. She was fatally shot in the chest by officers with the US Park Police later in the day, while she attempted to break through a barricaded door in the building along with other rioters.
She was taken to a hospital with a gunshot wound, however, doctors failed to save her life.
https://twitter.com/Ashli_Babbitt/status/1346531200819716098?s=20
Babbitt made a number of posts on social media, including a tweet related to Wednesday’s protest, including one where she said “Nothing will stop us… they can try and try and try but the storm is here and it is descending upon DC in less than 24 hours… dark to light!”
She described herself as a “veteran” and a “libertarian” in her Twitter bio.
In a previous video she recorded in November 2018, Babbitt criticized politicians’ inaction about the US-Mexico border issue, while they focus on President Trump’s moves.
Speaking to NBC 7, her brother-in-law Justin Jackson said Babbitt was “extremely passionate about what she believed in,” adding that he wasn’t explained by MPD what happened and why she was shot.
Babbitt’s mother-in-law, Robin Babbitt, told the New York Post that the family found out about her shooting on TV.
DC police are still investigating the incident.
In addition to Babbitt, three others died, 52 were arrested and 14 DC police officers were injured during Wednesday’s riots, according to officials. The three deaths reportedly occurred because of medical emergencies.
Five Dead, 52 Arrested on Second Day of Pro-Trump Protests in District