Air Force veteran Ashli Babbitt, who was shot and killed during the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach, will receive full military funeral honors from the Air Force. This decision comes after a review of the circumstances surrounding her death. The Undersecretary of the Air Force, Matthew Lohmeier, communicated this offer to Babbitt’s family, stating that new information had led him to believe the previous ruling on her eligibility for honors was incorrect.
Babbitt served as a senior airman in the Air Force from 2004 to 2008 and later joined the Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard. She had deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates during her service. According to military regulations, any service member who was active duty at the time of their death is eligible for military honors, as is anyone who was honorably discharged.
On the day of the Capitol riot, Babbitt, 35, attempted to enter a restricted area near the Speaker’s Lobby, where members of Congress were being evacuated. She was unarmed at the time. As protesters broke through barricades, a Capitol police officer fired a single shot, hitting her in the shoulder. She was taken to a hospital but did not survive.
The Department of Justice investigated the incident but found insufficient evidence to charge the officer involved. They determined that the officer acted in self-defense and in defense of others during a chaotic situation.
In January 2024, Babbitt’s family filed a lawsuit against the federal government, claiming wrongful death. They argued that she had not intended any harm and was not a threat when she was shot. In May 2025, the Justice Department reached a settlement with the family, agreeing to pay them nearly $5 million.
This case continues to draw attention, reflecting the ongoing discussions around the events of January 6 and the actions taken by law enforcement during the breach.
