The female Trump supporter who was shot dead amid the assault on the US Capitol has been identified as an Air Force veteran.
During the riot, which took place during a joint session of Congress, MAGA protesters tore down the barricades and forced their way into the Capitol building, forcing top officials to retreat and shelter-in-place.
Among the upset crowd who objected to the election results was also Ashli Babbitt, a San Diego woman and an Air Force veteran who reportedly served four tours with the Air Force.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, Babbitt was shot in the chest and rushed outside the Capitol just before 3 in the afternoon.
As of this writing, it is not clear who shot Babbitt or why. An investigation into her death continues.
Following the shooting, the FBI, the Capitol Police, the Secret Service, and the DHS agents were placed throughout the building to prevent more blood spilling.
As the Air Force veteran’s mother-in-law said in an interview with the local Fox outlet, she has no idea why Babbitt decided to go through with this.
Meanwhile, the woman’s husband confirmed the deceased protestor’s identity to KUSI as he insisted his wife was a 14-year Air Force veteran.
According to KUSI, Babbitt’s husband said his wife was “a great patriot” and an avid Trump supporter.
Following the breach at the Capitol building, Trump urged his supporters to go home and remember this day forever.
“I know your pain, I know you’re hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us. It was a landslide election and everyone knows it, especially the other side. But you have to go home now. We have to have peace. We have to have law and order. We have to respect our great people in law and order,” Trump said as he addressed his supporters on Twitter.
“We don’t want anybody hurt. It’s a very tough period of time. There’s never been a time like this, where such a thing happened, where they could take it away from all of us. From me, from you, from our country.
“This was a fraudulent election, but we can’t play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace. So go home. We love you, you’re very special. We’ve seen what happens, you see the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil. I know you how feel. But go home, and go home in peace.”
While the President refused to concede defeat and give up on his allegations of election fraud, he doubled down on telling his supporters to leave the Capitol in a tweet that followed shortly after his speech.
“These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long. Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever!” he wrote.
After the order at the Capitol was restored, the Senators returned under heavy guard and the Congress session resumed.
Calling the assault “a dark day in the history of the US Capitol,” VP Mike Pence condemned the riot as the electoral vote certification continued.
“The Capitol is secured and the peoples work continues. We condemn the violence that took place here in the strongest possible terms,” Pence said.
“We grieve the loss of life in these hallowed halls. To those who wreaked havoc in the US Capitol, you did not win. Violence never wins. Freedom wins. And this is still the peoples house. Let’s get back to work.”
Speaking of the siege that many believe to be a direct attack on democracy, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said that the people who “tried to disrupt our democracy” have failed.
“The United States and the United States Congress have faced down much greater threats than the unhinged crowd we saw today. We’ve never been deterred before. And we’ll not be deterred today,” the Republican said after returning to the Capitol to resume the vote certification.
“They tried to disrupt our democracy. They failed. This failed insurrection only underscores how crucial the task before us is for our republic.”
Replaced!