Capitol cop who shot and killed Ashli Babbitt on January 6 WILL reveal his identity for the first time during interview with NBC's Lester Holt tomorrow night

 The police officer who shot dead Ashli Babbitt during the Capitol riot will reveal his identity on Thursday when he sits down for a television interview to explain how the tragic events unfolded.

Babbitt, 35, was the only person killed during the insurrection when the officer opened fire as a MAGA mob stormed through the Rotunda.  

'Speaking out and revealing his identity publicly for the first time, the officer will share his perspective on the events of that day, including the aftermath of the deadly insurrection and the threats he has received,' said NBC News in a statement announcing that he would be interviewed by Lester Holt.

'He will also discuss the recent news that Capitol Police will not discipline him following an internal review, exonerating him for use of force.'

The interview will be broadcast at 6.30PM Eastern Time. 

The officer's identity has become a loaded question as former President Trump and his followers claimed he was being hidden as part of a cover-up. 

Authorities said they would not name him for his own protection.

Terrell N. Roberts III, an attorney for Babbitt’s family, said the decision to go public was 'quite a turn-around, given the months of constantly saying that to identify him would expose him to danger. Where did that one go?' 

The Department of Justice said it would not file charges against the officer in April and this week he was exonerated by an internal Capitol Police investigation. 

Ashli Babbitt, 35, was shot dead by a Capitol Police officer when she stormed the Capitol on January 6
Babbitt has shown her support for former president Donald Trump and reportedly pushed conservative conspiracy theories on social media

Ashli Babbitt, 35, was fatally shot by a Capitol Police officer during the January 6 riot at the Capitol. The officer was exonerated of any wrongdoing on Monday 

Video shows moment woman shot at while storming the Capitol Building
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Babbit died when Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building after his rally on January 6, when he urged them to walk to Congress

Babbit died when Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building after his rally on January 6, when he urged them to walk to Congress

It triggered outrage among Trump and his supporters. 

He has frequently demanded to know the officer's identity and claimed that he was receiving preferential treatment, compared with protesters jailed for their role in the violence.

Video of the shooting showed Babbitt, a 14-year U.S. Air Force veteran, at the head of a crowd trying to force their way through a barricaded door leading to an area where members of Congress were being helped to safety.

She was shot as she tried to climb through a broken window.

An investigation by the Department of Justice concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute the officer responsible. 

'Specifically, the investigation revealed no evidence to establish that, at the time the officer fired a single shot at Ms. Babbitt, the officer did not reasonably believe that it was necessary to do so in self-defense or in defense of the Members of Congress and others evacuating the House Chamber,' it said. 

But the former president said recently that he would have been jailed if he was on the 'other side.' 

'I spoke to the wonderful mother and devoted husband of Ashli Babbitt, who was murdered at the hands of someone who should never have pulled the trigger of his gun,' Trump said in a statement, adding: 'We know who it is.'

On another occasion he claimed there was more to the story.  

'They're protecting that person,' he said without offering any evidence during an interview broadcast on Fox Business. 

'I've heard also that it was the head of security for a certain high official - a Democrat.'  

Babbitt was the only person killed after protesters stormed the Capitol on January 6

Babbitt was the only person killed after protesters stormed the Capitol on January 6


And last month Rudy Giuliani told Newsmax: 'They tried to take this unfortunate trespass - which shouldn't have been done - and make it into an insurrection. 

'Well, first of all, this is the only insurrection in which a shot wasn't fired. 

'The only shot fired was the one shot by the police officer at an unarmed woman which they don't want to talk about. So there's a whole plot behind this.'  

But this week an internal investigation cleared the officer. 

'USCP’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) determined the officer’s conduct was lawful and within Department policy, which says an officer may use deadly force only when the officer reasonably believes that action is in the defense of human life, including the officer’s own life, or in the defense of any person in immediate danger of serious physical injury,' the agency stated in a press release.

The attorney representing Babbitt's family condemned the findings.

'The press release issued today by the Capitol Police in no way demonstrates that the shooting of Ashli Babbitt was lawful and in compliance with Department Policy,' said Roberts. 

Capitol cop who shot and killed Ashli Babbitt on January 6 WILL reveal his identity for the first time during interview with NBC's Lester Holt tomorrow night Capitol cop who shot and killed Ashli Babbitt on January 6 WILL reveal his identity for the first time during interview with NBC's Lester Holt tomorrow night Reviewed by Your Destination on August 26, 2021 Rating: 5

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