The family of Ashli Babbitt says she was murdered when she was fatally shot by a police officer during the US Capitol riots - as they plan to file a multi-million dollar wrongful death lawsuit against the police department.
Babbitt, a 35-year-old Air Force veteran from San Diego, was shot and killed when she and other Trump supporters stormed the Capitol on January 6.
A police officer, who has never been identified, fired a single gunshot when Babbitt tried to climb through the broken part of a door leading to an area outside the House Chamber where lawmakers were holed up.
Federal prosecutors decided last month not to bring charges against the officer who fired the fatal shot due to a lack of evidence.
Babbitt's family, however, believe she was murdered.
'In the eyes of her family? Of course she was,' the family's attorney, Terry Roberts, told WUSA.
'I mean, there was just no legal justification to take her life.
'She could have easily been stopped by the officer who shot her or numerous other officers who were around and been arrested, if that's what they wanted to do. There was no need to shoot her.
'Any rookie police officer with a set of handcuffs could have taken her into custody. She's an Air Force veteran. She was actually a military police officer herself. I am sure that she would have complied.'
The family is planning to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the Capitol Police over Babbitt's death.
The attorney has previously estimated that $10 million would be the total amount sought.
It is not clear when the lawsuit will be filed.
The attorney argued that Babbitt was simply a protester who was exercising her right to air grievances against the government.
'You know, we don't shoot protesters in this country unless they're... (Read more)
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