"Preliminary Agreement Reached: Justice Department to Pay $5 Million to Ashli Babbitt's Family"

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"Preliminary Agreement Reached: Justice Department to Pay $5 Million to Ashli Babbitt's Family"

[!CDATA[The Justice Department has reached a preliminary agreement to pay $5 million to the family of Ashli Babbitt, an Air Force veteran who was fatally shot during the Capitol Riot on January 6, 2021. Babbitt's estate had filed a $30 million lawsuit over her death when she tried to climb through a barricaded door at the Capitol. Both parties confirmed the agreement during a court hearing, aiming to settle the case. Ashli Babbitt was among the supporters of former President Donald Trump who entered the U.S. Capitol during the riot following the certification of President Joe Biden's election win. Video footage captured the moment Babbitt was shot while attempting to enter the Speaker's Lobby. Despite efforts to assist her, Babbitt succumbed to her injuries after being taken to Washington Hospital Center. The Capitol Police officer who fired the fatal shot was cleared of any wrongdoing by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, determining that the action was in self-defense and to protect members of Congress. The Capitol Police also supported the officer's actions. The proposed settlement has sparked disappointment among law enforcement officers, with the Capitol Police Chief expressing concern over the message it sends to officers nationwide. The agreement between the Justice Department and Ashli Babbitt's family marks a significant development in the aftermath of the Capitol Riot. The resolution of the case brings closure to a tragic event that unfolded during a tumultuous period in American history.]]