TGP Releases Photos Allegedly Showing Ashli Babbitt's Killer; Atty Calls Shooting Of Unarmed Vet An Act Of 'Unbelievable Heroism'

BREAKING: Lead Murder Suspect - Ashli Babbitt Case.https://t.co/xuqKklGyfw

— Tayler Hansen (@TaylerUSA) February 25, 2021

Gateway Pundit believes this is the man who murdered Ashli Babbitt. Police Lt. This story is more credible than any that have been published in the last 50 days! We need to hear from him!! pic.twitter.com/FYPtEl5F5P

— Charlie Stuff (@stuff_charlie) February 25, 2021

"It's a false narrative that he issued no verbal commands or warnings," Schamel said. "He was screaming, ‘Stay back! Stay back! Don't come in here!'" He added that witness statements back him up. Schamel explained the lieutenant's commands were not picked up on the video because it was recorded on the other side of the doors where dozens of rioters were shouting and banging against the doors and drowning out his words. And he said his client could not be seen yelling out the instructions because his mouth was covered by a mask he wore as part of COVID-19 protections.

It's not clear if the officer in fact warned the marauders breaching the barricade that he would shoot if they did not heed his commands. However, his service weapon -- a .40-caliber Glock semiautomatic handgun -- was visibly drawn. Some of the rioters spotted it through the lobby windows and shouted: “There's a gun!" followed by, “He's got a gun!"

Schamel said his client, who received his training primarily at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers in Glynco, Ga., was acting to protect himself and lawmakers from harm.

"He was acting within his training," he said. "Lethal force is appropriate if the situation puts you or others in fear of imminent bodily harm."

Added Schamel: "There should be a training video on how he handled that situation. What he did was unbelievable heroism."

[...] Some critics argue the lieutenant panicked and should have waited for backup before firing. But those briefed on his account said he believed he was alone with no chance of assistance. He maintained he was not aware that three uniformed officers were posted on the other side of the doors, and did not know that a SWAT team armed with assault weapons and tactical gear was moving in to replace them.

Also, the officer said he heard reports of shots fired in the building earlier during the upheaval, and feared that the rioters on the other side of the doors had guns. But it turns out the reports were in error -- the sound of glass being broken had been mistaken for gunfire. No other shots were fired that day.

He also told investigators he heard reports that pipe bombs had been found elsewhere in the area and worried that the rioters might be carrying explosives. Babbitt was wearing a backpack, which allegedly compounded his fears.

The lieutenant also said he believed his own life was in danger. It's not clear why he decided to stand his ground rather than retreat and seek out reinforcements. Well-armed Secret Service agents were standing guard nearby in the House chamber.

In contrast, another Capitol Police officer, Eugene Goodman, retreated when confronted by a horde of rioters in a stairwell, joining up with other officers who together defused the situation. He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his actions.