A few months ago, we learned about who we suspected was the person responsible for killing Ashli Babbitt on January 6, 2021 during the incident at the Capitol.
Police Lieutenant Michael Byrd who has been with the Capitol Police Department for 28 years is the sole individual responsible for her death.
Recently, he did an interview with Lester Holt and said that he believes he made the right decision by shooting her.
“I followed my training, and I spent countless years preparing for such a moment. You ultimately hope that moment never occurs, but you prepare as best you can. I know that day I saved countless lives,” said Byrd. “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.”
NOW: Join us on @NBCNightlyNews for @LesterHoltNBC's exclusive interview with Lieutenant Michael Byrd — the U.S. Capitol Police officer who shot and killed Ashli Babbitt while defending the U.S. House chamber during the Capitol attack. pic.twitter.com/mgub2ZcYdQ
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) August 26, 2021
For those who don’t remember, Ashli Babbitt was unarmed. So how exactly did he save lives? Was this woman a master in martial arts and something akin to John Wick? Was she going to make her way inside and just start taking everyone out with her incredible skills? That would be ridiculous.
“I tried to wait as long as I could,” said Byrd. “I hoped and prayed no one tried to enter through those doors. 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.”
Babbitt’s widowed husband has this to say about Byrd,
“I don’t even want to hear him talk about how he’s getting death threats and he’s scared,” Aaron Babbitt said. “I’ve been getting death threats since Jan. 7 — two, three, five, 10 a day — and all I did on Jan. 6 was become a widower. So, you’re going to have to suck it up, bud, and take it.”
Tucker Carlson, Aaron Babbitt (Ashli Babbitt's Husband), And Terrell Roberts (Babbitt Family Attorney) React To The Interview With The Capitol Hill Police Officer Who Shot & Killed Ashli Babbitt pic.twitter.com/MCCqr6Skq4
— The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 (@ColumbiaBugle) August 27, 2021
Police need to get away from instanctively using deadly force, in my opinion. Too often it’s the first line of defense when it doesn’t have to be. Yes, it is sometimes called for, but I’ve seen enough police cam footage where guns are drawn for the most ridiculous things.