Ashley Babbitt
Ashley Babbitt (1985–2021) was a United States Air Force veteran who became a prominent figure in the controversies surrounding the January 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol. She was fatally shot by a Capitol Police officer while attempting to enter a restricted area of the Capitol building during the riot.
Babbitt was a follower of far-right conspiracy theories, including QAnon, which alleges a secret cabal of Satan-worshipping pedophiles is running a global child trafficking ring and that former President Donald Trump was working to dismantle it. She frequently shared such theories on her social media accounts, expressing significant support for Trump and belief in widespread electoral fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
Her death became a flashpoint in conservative and far-right circles, with prominent figures claiming she was unjustly killed. These claims were fueled by right-wing media personalities, including Alex Jones. Jones and others have often cited Babbitt's death as an example of alleged excessive force used by law enforcement against Trump supporters on January 6th.
Despite calls from Babbitt's supporters and family for a full investigation into her death, the U.S. Department of Justice concluded in April 2021 that the officer who shot her would not face charges, determining there was insufficient evidence to support a prosecution. Babbitt's legacy remains a contentious subject, symbolizing different aspects of the political divides in the United States.
