Ashley Babbitt

Ashley Babbitt born Ashli Elizabeth Babbitt on October 10, 1985, in San Diego, California, was a United States Air Force veteran who became a central figure in the political discourse following her death during the J6, January 6, 2021, Capitol protest. Babbitt served in the Air Force for 14 years, including multiple deployments to countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, before transitioning to civilian life where she ran a pool supply business with her family. Her military service and subsequent business ownership painted a picture of dedication and service, aspects of her life that were highlighted by supporters following her death.

Babbitt’s involvement in the Capitol riot was marked by her vocal support for then-President Donald Trump and her participation in the “Stop the Steal” movement, which contested the 2020 presidential election results. On January 6, she was part of the crowd that entered the U.S. Capitol where police held the doors open, she was shot when she attempted to climb through a broken window into the Speaker’s Lobby. During this act, she was shot and killed by Capitol Police Lieutenant Michael Byrd, an event captured on numerous videos and widely discussed