Judicial Watch has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the US government on behalf of the family of Ashli Babbitt, the woman fatally shot inside the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Babbitt's estate and her husband, Aaron, in the Southern District of California brings forth multiple counts against the government including assault and batter; negligence; negligent supervision, discipline, and retention of Lt. Byrd; negligent training; wrongful death.
"Ashli loved her country and wanted to show her support for President Trump’s America First policies and to see and hear the president speak live while he remained in office. Ashli did not go to Washington as part of a group or for any unlawful or nefarious purpose. She was there to exercise what she believed were her God-given, American liberties and freedoms," the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit later adds, "The shooting occurred at the east entrance to the Speaker’s Lobby. After demonstrators filled the hallway outside the lobby, two individuals in the crowded, tightly packed hallway struck and dislodged the glass panels in the lobby doors and the right door sidelight. Lt. Byrd, who is a USCP commander and was the incident commander for the House on January 6, 2021, shot Ashli on sight as she raised herself up into the opening of the right door sidelight. Lt. Byrd later confessed that he shot Ashli before seeing her hands or assessing her intentions or even identifying her as female. Ashli was unarmed. Her hands were up in the air, empty, and in plain view of Lt. Byrd and other officers in the lobby."