Officer Who Killed Unarmed Woman Veteran During Capitol Riot Reveals Himself: ‘ I Know I Was Doing My Job’
Darian Douraghy
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The officer who shot and killed Ashi Babbit, an unarmed female veteran, on January 6th during the Capitol riot has now revealed himself as Officer Michael Byrd.
Byrd conducted an interview with NBC in which he described the event from his perspective and patted himself on the back for his killing of Ashley Babbit, who was unarmed.
“Once we barricaded the doors, we were essentially trapped where we were,” Byrd said in an exclusive interview with NBC News’ Lester Holt, speaking publicly for the first time since the riot. “There was no way to retreat. No other way to get out.
“If they get through that door, they’re into the House chamber and upon the members of Congress,” added Byrd.
Byrd continued, justifying his killing of Ashi Babbit and even praising himself for doing so.
“I know that day I saved countless lives,” Byrd said. “I know members of Congress, as well as my fellow officers and staff, were in jeopardy and in serious danger. And that’s my job.”
“I tried to wait as long as I could…” he told Holt.
“…but their failure to comply required me to take the appropriate action to save the lives of members of Congress and myself and my fellow officers,” Byrd said in an effort to further justify his homicide.
The Justice Department and the Capitol Police have reportedly cleared Byrd of any wrongdoing for the shooting.
The killing of Ashli Babbit has remained a highly controversial moment of 2021, with her husband suing for the name of the Capitol cop who shot her during the Capitol riot before he went public. The family has also recently sought to sue Byrd over her death, with more updates expected to come soon.
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