Enlarge image
On January 6, emergency services try to push back the mob at the US Capitol
Photo: Brian Branch Price / imago images / ZUMA Wire
No federal charge will be brought against a police officer who shot and killed an intruder while storming the US Capitol in January.
The Capitol Police officer acted to protect members of the US Congress and himself, the Justice Department said on Wednesday.
The official had fired a shot at Ashli Babbitt, who was part of the crowd that stormed the Capitol on January 6 in protest of the presidential election result.
The 35-year-old was hit in the left shoulder and later succumbed to her injuries.
Videos of the incident had spread rapidly in January.
According to the Justice Department, Babbitt was part of a mob trying to gain access to a restricted area of the House of Representatives.
Capitol Police officers had barricaded the doors with furniture from the inside.
Outside, intruders smashed the glass panes of the doors.
Babbitt then tried to get in through the door.
The officer then fired a shot.
Five people were killed in the riots, including a Capitol policeman.
The FBI classifies the storming of the building as domestic terrorism.
Congress was due to ratify President Joe Biden's election victory on the day of the attack.
The incumbent incumbent at the time, Donald Trump, who refused to admit his defeat, had spurred his supporters on with a combative speech in front of the White House immediately beforehand.
mjm / dpa
