Public opinion on the deadly use of police force shows bias against the victim, Ashli Babbitt, in the aftermath of the January 6 Capitol riot. On that day, only one homicide occurred when Babbitt, an unarmed Trump supporter, was shot by police officer Michael Byrd, who had a questionable history with firearms and chose deadly force rather than a nonlethal response, despite the lack of an immediate threat.
The reaction to Babbitt’s death was starkly different from that towards George Floyd's death six months earlier, which led to national outrage and calls for police reform. In contrast, many from the left celebrated Byrd as a hero and condemned Babbitt's actions as deserving of her fate. This highlights how partisan views can distort judgment and make it hard for individuals to apply consistent principles to similar situations.
In 2021, the Department of Justice announced it found “insufficient evidence” to criminally prosecute Byrd for killing Babbitt, but did not determine that the shooting was justified. Babbitt's husband has since filed a civil lawsuit against the federal government, which is set for trial in July 2026.
Babbitt, a veteran who ran a pool business, attended the “Save America” rally before joining the mob that entered the Capitol. Video footage shows she attempted to go through a barricade door when Byrd fired a shot that struck her in the shoulder. Reports suggest that officers on the scene did not effectively try to prevent the mob from breaching the barricade.
Byrd's account in a 2021 NBC interview revealed troubling aspects of his decision to shoot. He claimed he could not adequately see what was happening on the other side of the door and insisted that he acted to protect Congress members and himself. Byrd admitted he later learned Babbitt was unarmed but justified his actions by saying they could not know her intentions due to the chaos.
Critics argue that Byrd's failure to see Babbitt's hands or an indication of a weapon could not justify deadly force. DOJ guidelines state that lethal force is permitted only in the face of imminent danger. As Babbitt climbed through the window, there was no clear threat indicating she could cause serious harm to anyone.
The civil complaint against Byrd suggests that officers should have used nonlethal methods to handle Babbitt, such as pushing her back or using pepper spray. It's notable that Byrd was the only officer who fired his weapon during the incident. Byrd had previously demonstrated poor firearm handling and had faced disciplinary actions over his history, raising questions about his judgment on January 6.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Byrd falsely claimed on the radio that shots were being fired at them, attempting to create a narrative that justified his actions. Many people are disturbed by the double standards seen in the response to Babbitt's death compared to shootings of unarmed Black individuals by police officers. The case raises important conversations about the use of force by police and the need for a consistent standard in evaluating such incidents.
Regardless of political affiliations, there is a need for all individuals to recognize and condemn excessive police force. The ambiguity in the responses to Babbitt's death reveals a troubling pattern where bias colors perceptions of law enforcement actions, underscoring the importance of accountability.
https://starkrealities.substack.com/p/jan-6-killing-of-ashli-babbitt-double-standard
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