Trump supporter who died while taking part in Capitol riots

Ashli Babbitt, a 35-year-old Californian, was shot after breaking into the US Capitol as part of the mob fighting to keep Donald Trump in office.

Just before Trump supporter Ashli Babbitt was shot dead at the US Capitol after breaking in as part of violent mob, she posted on Twitter about her reasons for doing so.

“Nothing will stop us … they can try and try and try but the storm is here and it is descending upon DC in less than 24 hours … dark to light!” wrote the 35-year-old Californian rioter.

While Ms Babbitt was right to anticipate a storm, she might have thought twice if she could have predicted that she would pay the greatest price of all in her fanatical desire to keep Donald Trump in office as President.

She was killed after breaking into the Capitol Building during the electoral college vote to confirm Joe Biden’s win, and her death has provoked angry and emotional reactions across America.

DC Police Chief Robert Contee told reporters she had been shot by US Capitol Police.

Graphic video of the shooting’s aftermath began circulating almost immediately. Ms Babbitt could be seen lying on the ground draped in a Trump flag with her face covered in blood as others tried to assist her and were heard screaming “Where’s she hit?”

Ashli Babbitt, the 35-year-old Trump supporter killed while rioting at the US Capitol.

Ms Babbitt was shot as police clashed with the violent mob who had broken into the Capitol Building..

She was later removed from the building on a stretcher, and died in hospital later in the day, officials said. Ms Babbitt was identified to KUSI-TV by husband Aaron, who confirmed that she was a dedicated Trump supporter, “patriot” and veteran of 14 years.

Police said three others — a woman and two men — also died of unspecified “medical emergencies” in the area as the halls of the Capitol descended into mayhem on a day that was supposed to be solely focused on certifying Mr Biden’s presidential election win.

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Ms Babbitt’s mother in law Robin Babbitt spoke of the family’s loss in an interview with the New York Post.

“I’m numb. I’m devastated. Nobody from DC notified my son and we found out on TV,” Robin Babbitt said, adding her son’s wife was “a Trump supporter”.

Her ex-husband Timothy McEntee told The Washington Post she served with the US Air Force in Afghanistan and Iraq before deployments with the National Guard to Kuwait and Qatar. The couple met in the air force and were married for 14 years, before splitting in May 2019.

Video 1 of 2: We need to start putting our elected officials on notice...we the ppl see you...you work for ya and have completely forgotten your place... #MAGA I want results—not lies and lip service 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/9qgnP12g5D

— CommonAshSense (@Ashli_Babbitt) November 26, 2018

He was shocked by the news of her death. “I feel absolutely terrible and sick to my stomach about it,” he told The post in a text message. “She was never afraid to speak her mind and in a way this was her way of speaking her mind (going to the rally).”

He said Ms Babbitt now owned a pool supply company with her husband, describing her as “very loud and opinionated, but caring, sweet, thoughtful, loving.”

The San Diego resident was active on social media, sharing pro-Trump content, claims of voter fraud and many of the President’s favourite conspiracy theories. She had previously posted videos of herself in heated tirades ranting about Democrat politicians. “We need to start putting our elected officials on notice,” she wrote.

Ms Babbitt’s death prompted emotional and angry reactions from the American public.

Ms Babbitt was active on social media, posting pro-Trump content and conspiracy theories espoused by the President. Picture: twitter/@ashli_babbit

The 35-year-old was removed on a stretcher and died in hospital later in the day.

She was one of four people who died in the area amid the chaos. Picture: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images/AFP

“When Black people are shot dead by police, there is a postmortem character assassination.

When a white woman is killed by police storming the Capital, there is character redemption,” wrote Harvard professor CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Cornell William Brooks on Twitter.

“Every news story refers to #AshliBabbitt not as an #insurrectionist, but a veteran.”

Trump supporters referred to Ms Babbitt as a “true patriot” and “hero” who died for their cause.

Jan 6, 2021 🇺🇸🤙🏼 https://t.co/kSzoZ6OHCM

— CommonAshSense (@Ashli_Babbitt) January 1, 2021

But many Twitter users said that they had “zero sympathy” for a “terrorist” killed while taking part in “insurrection”.

“Play stupid games win stupid prizes,” one wrote, while another posted: “How’d it work out for you? Was it worth it?”

Some said they felt sorry for Ms Babbitt and her family despite not agreeing with her actions, and called on all Americans to show empathy in the face of a tragedy and end the cycle of violence.

Others said that Mr Trump was responsible for “radicalising” the MAGA fan, and bore some culpability for her death.