Ashli Babbit (file photo)

Shooting of Ashli Babbit during the January 6 insurrection was lawful, U.S. Capitol police say

By Edward Era Barbacena

Washington - The U.S. Capitol police officer who shot Trump supporter and insurectionist Ashli Babbit will not face charges nor diciplinary actions, the department stated on Monday.

"USCP's Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) determined the officer's conduct was lawful and considered as within Department policy, which says an officer may use a deadly force only when the officer reasonably believes that the action in the defense of human life including officer's ownlife, or in a defense of any person in immediate danger of serious physical injury."

- the department said in a statement.

The officer will not be named out of consideration for his safety, the department added.

The announcement comes roughly four months after the Department of Justice announced federal prosecutors will not seek charges against the Capitol police officer for the shooting of Babbit.

Babbit's fatal shooting happened when a crowd of angry Trump's mobsters tried to push a doorway that was barricaded by chairs on the other side and was guarded by the police. This doorway was the entrance of the speaker's lobby in the Capitol. The glass of the door was shattered by the Trump rioters in which resulted to have an opening large enough for someone to get into the otherside.  Babbit being too brave was seen climbing her way into the opening. Despite of the several warnings given by the officer who was pointing a gun at her, Babbit ignored and insisted to get in and the officer shot her.  Babbit was given a medical assistance and was rushed to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The Capitol police justified the officer's action on Monday stating that he "potentialy saved members and staff from serioys injuries and possible deaths from the large raging crowd of mostly white insurrectionists who forced their way in to the Capitol.

In April, the Department of Justice that it had cleared the officer and closed its investigation adding there was insufficient evidence to support prosecution.

" The investigation revealed no evidence to establish that, at the time the officer fired a single shot at Ms. Babbit, the officer did not reasonably believe that it was necessary to do so in self-defence or in defence of the Members of Congress and others evacuating the House of Chamber.'

 - the Department said in a statement

The death of Ashli Babbit caused people to raise their opinions which led to a heated debate on different social media platforms.  Some insisted that the officer who shot must be arrested and should face charges but more said that Babbit deserves to be shot.