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The Capitol cop who killed Ashli ​​Babbitt spoke for the first time

2021-08-27T14:11:10.935Z


The US Capitol cop who killed pro-Trump rioters Ashli ​​Babbitt revealed his identity and defended his actions.


Sentenced to 8 months in prison for attacking the Capitol 1:00

(CNN) -

The veteran U.S. Capitol cop who killed pro-Trump rioters Ashli ​​Babbitt was shown to the public Thursday.

He revealed his identity and defended his actions on January 6.

"I know I saved countless lives that day," Lt. Michael Byrd said in an interview with "NBC Nightly News."

"I know that members of Congress, as well as my colleagues and staff, were in danger and in grave danger. And that's my job."

The police officer fatally shot Babbitt in the shoulder as she climbed through a window that led into the president's lobby, adjacent to the House chamber.

This occurred while legislators were evacuating.

"I tried to wait as long as I could," Byrd said of the incident at the door.

"I was hoping and praying that no one tried to enter those doors. But their failure to comply forced me to take appropriate action to save the lives of members of Congress and myself and my colleagues."

  • US Capitol police officer reportedly told units to only monitor & # 039; anti-Trump & # 039; protesters

    January 6th

The Justice Department said in April that Byrd would not be criminally charged in connection with Babbitt's death.

And the United States Capitol Police said last week that it would not face any internal discipline.

He could still face civil litigation from Babbitt's family, who have threatened a lawsuit.

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Byrd, a Washington native who has been advocating for the law for 28 years, said he continued his training and repeatedly yelled at rioters, telling them to halt their advance into the House chamber.

In addition, he said he was "taking a tactical stance" with his gun drawn as the crowd approached.

"Ultimately, you expect your orders to be carried out. Unfortunately, it was not."

'I just want the truth to be told'

In the seven months since the insurrection, former President Donald Trump and his allies have tried to frame a narrative about Babbitt's death and make her a martyr in right-wing circles.

Police were crushed by mob on Capitol Hill 3:06

Trump said Babbitt, a QAnon supporter and an Air Force veteran, was an "innocent, wonderful and incredible woman."

During a Fox News interview, Trump also falsely accused the police officer of shooting Babbitt in the head.

Republican lawmakers also sold misleading claims about the incident, claiming that Byrd was "on the prowl" to kill Babbitt and "execute" her in cold blood.

In the interview with "NBC Nightly News", Byrd called Trump's comments "disheartening" and denied that he was acting politically.

He protected Trump during his presidency when he visited the Capitol.

Gohmert: I need to know what the FBI knew on Jan 6 0:23

"I hope they understand that I did my job," Byrd said of Republicans who criticized him.

"There was an imminent threat and danger to members of Congress. I just want the truth to be told."

Identity revealed and threats

Many of the conspiracies have been fueled by a lack of transparency from the Capitol Police and the investigators who reviewed the incident.

Byrd spoke of his own free will and has never been appointed by any government entity, even though it is common in many jurisdictions for police departments to publicly release the names of police officers who are involved in fatal shootings.

The uncertainty about Byrd's identity created a new rallying cry: "Who shot Ashli ​​Babbitt?" Trump has mentioned in recent demonstrations.

Byrd's name has been floating around right-wing websites.

On this point, the police officer said in the sometimes emotional interview on Thursday that he and his family had received death threats, including racist threats.

Video of police beatings on January 6 at the Capitol 0:30

"They talked about killing me, cutting off my head," Byrd said.

In interviews with CNN earlier this year, Babbitt's family said she was a "patriot" and was on Capitol Hill to "express her right to the First Amendment and answer the call of a sitting president."

The family say they are considering a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Byrd, and have already filed a civil lawsuit seeking records and other information from police about the incident.

  • A Capitol Police officer recounts how they anticipated the insurrection

His attorney, Terry Roberts, said in an interview with Zenger News that he believed Byrd was unfit to serve or carry a weapon on Capitol Hill.

He also condemned the US Capitol Police for never publicly naming Byrd.

According to him, without proof, it was kept a secret because Byrd is black.

"The US Congress wants to protect this man. He has friends in high places and they want to protect him," Roberts said in the interview.

"And they have done quite well ... I don't think this is a proud moment for the United States Capitol Police or the United States Congress."

Assault on the Capitol

Source: cnnespanol

All news articles on 2021-08-27

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