WASHINGTON, D.C. — Preliminary Settlement Reached in Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed by Ashli Babbitt’s Family Over January 6 Shooting

A preliminary legal settlement has been reached between the Trump administration and the family of Ashli Babbitt, the 35-year-old woman who was fatally shot inside the U.S. Capitol during the violent events of January 6, 2021. Attorneys representing Babbitt’s estate and the U.S. Department of Justice submitted a joint filing to a federal judge in Washington, D.C., on Friday, May 2, 2025, stating that an agreement has been reached “in principle,” marking a potential turning point in a case that has remained politically and emotionally charged for over four years.

Babbitt, a U.S. Air Force veteran from California and a fervent supporter of then-President Donald Trump, was shot and killed by a Capitol Police officer as she attempted to climb through a broken window leading to the Speaker’s Lobby near the House chamber. The fatal shooting occurred during the breach of the Capitol by a pro-Trump mob, an unprecedented attack that resulted in multiple deaths, widespread injuries, and more than 1,200 criminal cases.

Her family filed a wrongful death lawsuit in 2022, alleging excessive use of force by the officer involved and arguing that Babbitt posed no immediate threat when she was shot. The Department of Justice previously declined to file criminal charges against the officer, citing insufficient evidence to prove that the use of deadly force was unjustified.

While the specific terms of the settlement have not yet been disclosed, both parties confirmed in their joint filing that negotiations have yielded a framework they believe resolves the civil dispute. The agreement still requires formal approval, including signatures and potential review by the federal court. Legal experts anticipate that a final announcement, including financial details and any conditions, will be released in the coming weeks.

“The parties have reached an agreement in principle that would resolve this matter in its entirety,” the court document stated. “The parties respectfully request a brief stay of proceedings to finalize settlement documentation.”

The lawsuit and its broader implications have long been the subject of public debate, particularly within politically polarized circles. Babbitt has become a symbolic figure among far-right and pro-Trump communities, with some labeling her a martyr. Meanwhile, others point to her active role in storming a secure government building as evidence that law enforcement’s actions were necessary to protect lawmakers and staff during an active threat.

The Capitol Police, Congress, and various law enforcement agencies have stood by the officer’s actions, asserting that the shooting occurred in a volatile and rapidly deteriorating situation, with Babbitt at the front of a group attempting to breach a heavily defended corridor where lawmakers were still being evacuated.

This preliminary settlement does not include any admission of wrongdoing or liability on the part of the government or the officer involved, according to people familiar with the case.

Babbitt’s family and their attorneys have expressed hope that the agreement brings a measure of closure. In prior statements, they emphasized their belief that Ashli Babbitt’s death was avoidable and argued that her constitutional rights were violated.

Critics of the lawsuit, however, have maintained that the government should not compensate individuals who played active roles in what has widely been described as an insurrection. The attack led to the deaths of five people, numerous injuries to law enforcement officers, and lasting trauma throughout the Capitol Hill community.

The Department of Justice has not issued a formal statement regarding the settlement, and representatives for Babbitt’s family have also declined to comment beyond the court filing.

The case remains open until all documents are finalized. The settlement, once complete, is expected to be one of the more significant legal resolutions stemming from the events of January 6, aside from the hundreds of criminal convictions and ongoing trials related to the attack.

More updates will be provided as details of the final agreement are made public.