US election: Pro-Trump protesters storm Capitol over Electoral College vote count
A woman who was gunned down in Washington DC as Trump supporters stormed the Capitol has died from her injuries.
WARNING: CONFRONTING
A woman who was shot during the Washington riots has died from her injuries.
The grim news of the woman’s death was confirmed by US media and Washington DC police this morning Australian time, although it has not yet been confirmed who fired the fatal shot.
However, an eyewitness interviewed by CNN claimed the woman may have been hit by an individual guarding the inside of the House Chamber.
The victim has been identified as air force vet and Californian Trump supporter Ashli Babbitt, with her husband confirming the news with KUSI-TV.
NEW: Woman shot earlier in the chest at The Capitol has now died.
— Katie Phang (@KatiePhang) January 6, 2021
Just a day before her death, Ms Babbitt took to Twitter to vow that “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,” she posted.
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!
— CommonAshSense (@Ashli_Babbitt) January 5, 2021
A confronting video of the moment Ms Babbitt was shot began circulating online soon after the incident, which captured the sound of a gunshot before revealing the woman lying on the floor as blood poured from her mouth.
POLICE ALLEGEDLY SHOT UNARMED WOMAN
— The_Real_Fly (@The_Real_Fly) January 6, 2021
pic.twitter.com/RZgH0OPZ16
Onlookers were heard screaming “Where’s she hit?” as they rushed to assist her, and she was later taken from the building in a stretcher.
Ms Babbitt was pictured on camera draped in a red, white and blue flag.
The chaos arose after MAGA protesters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to overthrow democracy in the dying days of Donald Trump’s presidency this morning.
The outgoing President’s supporters have not only taken to the streets, but have also breached the US Capitol building after breaking through barriers, withstanding tear gas and engaging in an armed standoff with police in a stunning refusal to accept Mr Trump’s election loss.
A number of police officers have also reportedly been injured during clashes with demonstrators.
The Capitol is now in lockdown and Vice President Mike Pence has been evacuated, with other politicians ordered to seek shelter underneath their desks and the National Guard called in to assist.
A 6pm curfew has also been issued by the mayor of DC, although that deadline is still hours away.
RELATED: Chaos as Trump supporters storm Capitol
The emergency kicked off while congress was in session to count and certify the Electoral College votes following the November 3 election, with MAGA supporters attempting to disrupt the proceedings and overturn Democrat Joe Biden’s victory by storming the House Floor.
The joint session has since been halted, with a protester breaching the Senate floor and taking the Speaker’s chair.
This is a coup attempt.
— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) January 6, 2021
Audibly shaken media commentators have likened the situation to that of a “third world country”or “civil war”, with CNN anchors this morning describing the chaos as a full-blown “rebellion” and “insurrection” in Washington DC and claiming Americans were “witnessing an attempt at sedition” on their television screens.
RELATED: Shocking photos reveal deadly US disaster
Outside the Capitol, which is now on lockdown.
— Washingtonian (@washingtonian) January 6, 2021
📸: @EvyMages pic.twitter.com/4ZMV9OSxLl
“This is just Bedlam … this is Trump’s rebellion,” one said, adding the situation was “very, very tense” and “out of control”.
It took 159 years, but a mob marching behind a confederate flag has stormed the US Capitol. They are doing so on @realDonaldTrump’s express orders. pic.twitter.com/Q9MnbT0emZ
— Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) January 6, 2021
Reporters said they had not seen anything like the unfolding crisis since the Vietnam War, labelling the situation “unprecedented” and claiming it was “not a peaceful protest”.
White supremacists, QAnon believers, and far right extremists are quite literally breaking the seat of American government in the name of a coup attempt. pic.twitter.com/LMcCwTNnp9
— David Mack (@davidmackau) January 6, 2021
Donald Trump himself is facing serious criticism for so far failing to order his supporters to stand down, with the President yet to make a public statement.
The only comment he has made on the chaos has been a tweet urging Americans to “Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!”, which critics have dismissed as a “flaccid” response.
They’ve asked us to take cover on the House floor and get our gas masks ready. This is insane.
— Rep. Dean Phillips 🇺🇸 (@RepDeanPhillips) January 6, 2021
Although Mr Trump has repeatedly urged his supporters not to accept the election results, law enforcement has been taken by surprise this morning after being outnumbered by the sheer number of Trump supporters descending upon Washington DC.
The shocking scenes have even outraged Republicans, with many urging the President to step in and “call it off” by ordering his supporters to stand down and retreat.
Big Australia impact for Trump tariff U-turn
White House whispers have claimed that Donald Trump’s plans for reciprocal tariffs may change – and that could have implications for Australia.
Gift caused explosive Trump, Zelensky spat
Volodymyr Zelensky has broken his silence on his Oval Office blow-up with Donald Trump – revealing the moment it all went wrong.
Rogan’s major announcement stuns fans
Joe Rogan has shocked his fans after making a huge announcement on his podcast just days after a major Trump backflip.