Husband of mobster Ashli Babbitt, who died on January 6th, sues for wrongful death lawsuit requested $30 million from the U.S. government, according to court record It was released on Friday.
Lawyers from the conservative legal activist group Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit in California federal court on behalf of Aaron Babbitt and his estate, charging them with wrongful death, assault and battery.
His wife was shot and killed by law enforcement as she tried to climb through a barricaded door near the House chamber during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.
The suit alleges that Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd was negligent when he fired at Babbitt, a supporter of former President Trump.
“The facts speak the truth: Ms. Ashli was ambushed and shot by Lt. Byrd,” the lawyers wrote, arguing that she traveled to Washington, D.C., solely to attend a Trump rally.
“Ashri did not go to Washington as part of a group or for any illegal or nefarious purpose,” they wrote, arguing that Babbitt, an Air Force veteran, “posed no threat to anyone's safety.”
Lawyers also accused Byrd of violating standards governing the safe use of firearms, use of force and assessment of imminent threat.
The lawsuit also says Byrd was not in uniform at the time of the shooting, did not identify himself as a police officer, and did not give Babbitt any “warnings or commands” before the shooting.
In an interview after the incident, Byrd said he believed he had helped save “countless lives” that day and that he believed he made the right decision. He was later acquitted.
He defended his actions, telling NBC News after the incident, “I know that members of Congress and my fellow officers and staff are in danger and in serious danger.” “And that's my job.”
The Hill has reached out to Capitol Police for comment.
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