Ashli Babbitt, a U.S. Air Force veteran, served from 2004 to 2008, followed by time in the Air Force Reserves and Air National Guard until 2016. Her military service included deployments to Afghanistan (2005), Iraq (2006), and the UAE (2012, 2014). Babbitt’s tragic death occurred on January 6, 2021, during the storming of the U.S. Capitol, when Capitol Police officer Michael Byrd shot her as she attempted to breach the House Speaker’s Lobby.

After nearly four and a half years, Babbitt’s husband, Aaron Babbitt, reached a settlement with the federal government to resolve a \$30 million wrongful death lawsuit. The agreement, signed on June 6, includes a payout of \$4.975 million, though other details of the settlement have not been made public. This settlement aims to bring justice to Ashli Babbitt’s family, as claimed by Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton, who called it a historic step.

Fitton argued that the settlement undermines what he called an “evil, partisan narrative” surrounding Babbitt’s death, describing the killing as unjustified. According to him, the settlement serves as a form of justice for the Babbitt family, particularly in challenging the narrative that had previously excused the actions of the police officer involved.

The settlement also includes a provision where 25% of the payout will be placed in a trust account. This will remain there pending the resolution of a claim from Ashli Babbitt’s former attorney, Terrell N. Roberts III. Roberts, who had represented the family in earlier stages, filed a motion to claim 40% of any settlement awarded, leading to a legal dispute.

This dispute with Roberts arose after he ended his professional relationship with Aaron Babbitt in early 2022. Aaron’s current attorney, Richard Driscoll, has requested that the matter be handled through the Attorney/Client Arbitration Board of the D.C. Bar, signaling ongoing complications related to the settlement.

While the federal government did not admit liability, the settlement is viewed by some as an indirect acknowledgment by the Department of Justice that Officer Byrd’s actions were excessive. Critics argue that Byrd acted recklessly when he shot Babbitt while emerging from a concealed position, further fueling debates over the use of force during the Capitol riots.