A woman shot and killed by the police during the attack on the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Donald Trump crowd has been named as a 14-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force and four foreign military trips, including to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Ashli Babbitt, 35, had traveled to Washington DC from San Diego, her husband told local news station KUSI, adding that she was a passionate supporter of Trump.
Three other people died of “medical emergencies” during the siege of the Capitol on Wednesday, according to Washington DC police chief Robert Contee.
Contee told reporters that a woman was shot by the Capitol police – a federal law enforcement agency responsible for protecting the United States Congress – but did not disclose further details.
Less than a day before she joined the loyal protest to Trump, Babbitt, a public and outspoken supporter of Trump, as well as a subscriber to a number of alternative right-wing conspiracy theories, had sworn that the insurgent movement could never be stopped . “Nothing is going to stop us … they can try and try and try, but the storm is here and is falling on DC in less than 24 hours … from darkness to light!” she wrote on Twitter.
Babbitt, 35, was reportedly shot when she and other protesters tried to break into a locked door in the building where Capitol police were armed on the other side.
In video images circulating on social media, a single shot is heard during an attempt to break into the blocked door. Other images show the police trying to perform emergency first aid on a woman lying on the floor bleeding.
Babbitt was taken to hospital with a gunshot wound, but was later declared dead.
Tweeting under the handle @CommonAshSense, Babbitt described herself as a veteran and libertarian. His social media account is filled with statements of support for Trump and condemnation of the November presidential election, which Trump lost.
She also resold many of the conspiracy theories shared by alternative right-wing groups, including one about a vast network of powerful, high-profile pedophiles. Babbitt regularly retweeted controversial lawyer and conspiracy theorist Lin Wood, a strong supporter of Trump who litigated several of the president’s failed lawsuits that challenged the outcome of the election.
She also asked Vice President Mike Pence – who split from Trump for refusing to oppose Joe Biden’s election victory – to step down and face charges of treason.
Babbitt’s mother-in-law, Robin Babbitt, told the New York Post: “I’m numb. I’m devastated. No one from DC notified my son and we found out on TV. “
Everything is “very surreal,” said Babbitt’s brother-in-law, Justin. “It is difficult, because we have not been officially notified.”
Contee said 14 officers were injured in the attack on the Capitol. One was taken to the hospital after being dragged into a crowd and assaulted, another suffered “significant facial injuries” after being hit by a projectile.
Contee reported 52 arrests: five for firearm crimes and 47 for curfew violations and illegal entry. Twenty-six of the prisoners were on the United States Capitol.
A refrigerator full of Molotov cocktails was also found at the United States Capitol. The police recovered two tubular bombs at the offices of the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee.
Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a citywide public emergency until Jan. 21, the day after Biden took office as president.
Bowser called the attack on the Capitol an “affront to our American democracy” and urged city residents to comply with the city’s curfew.
“I ask anyone who is not at your home or hotel – and if you intend to cause trouble on the streets of DC, you will be arrested,” she said.
Bowser said Trump has ultimate responsibility for the violent protests.
“We saw an unprecedented attack on our American democracy prompted by the President of the United States.
“He must be held accountable. His constant and divisive rhetoric led to the heinous actions we saw today. “