The Air Force veteran who was shot and killed by Capitol Police inside the U.S. Capitol building as throngs of people stormed the building Wednesday was remembered fondly by her family members.
Ashley (Ashli) Babbitt, 35, was among a mob of people who stormed the building to protest against the certification of President-elect Joe Biden by Congress. In the midst of the chaos, she was shot and killed by an unnamed officer, according to the Capitol Police.
“She served time in the military and she’s passionate about everything, particularly Donald Trump for some reason,” he said. Family members said Babbitt served more than a decade in the Air Force.
Babbitt’s husband, Aaron Babbitt, added that she “loved her country and she was doing what she thought was right to support her country, joining up with like-minded people that also love their president and their country.”
McEntee, who was married to Babbitt for 14 years, said they served in the U.S. Air Force together.
“[I] immediately knew it was her, but was unaware she was in town, so I initially had doubts because she lives in California,” McEntee said. “But [I] reached out to a friend, and he said she was in town for the rally.”
Police also confirmed the death of Brian D. Sicknick, a U.S. Capitol Police officer who died Thursday night.
Authorities said that other than Babbitt’s death, one woman and two men died after suffering “medical emergencies” during the chaos.
The Capitol Police stated the officer who shot Babbitt was placed on administrative leave, per department policy, and the officer was suspended. The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department is also investigating the shooting.
U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, under pressure from Schumer, Pelosi, and other congressional leaders, was forced to resign. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell asked for and received the resignation of the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate, Michael Stenger, effective immediately. Paul Irving, the longtime Sergeant at Arms of the House, also resigned.
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