Jan 6. rioter who was pardoned by Donald Trump shot dead by police at traffic stop days after executive order
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, Crime, US News
Callum Jones
Featured Image Credit: Department of Justice
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, Crime, US News
A January 6th rioter who was pardoned by Donald Trump upon his return to The White House has been shot dead by police at a traffic stop.
Soon after Trump was sworn back into office last week, he took steps to issue pardons to over 1,500 criminals involved in the Capitol Riots.
While one woman decided against taking the pardon, the majority of those involved with the events that took place on January 6 2021, have since been released.
Matthew Huttle was one of those to be freed after a misdemeanor charge linked to his involvement in the Capitol riot.
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He was sentenced to six months behind bars and was released in July 2024, according to the Washington Post.
Huttle received clemency from Trump last week, but was involved in a police incident on Sunday (January 26) afternoon.
The 42-year-old was shot dead by a deputy officer during a traffic stop as they attempted to arrest him, according to state police.
A Jasper County Sheriff’s deputy pulled Huttle over on Indiana State Road 14 near the Pulaski County line before the altercation took place.
State police said in a press release: "An altercation took place between the suspect and the officer, which resulted in the officer firing his weapon and fatally wounding the suspect."
Police say Huttle was armed.
Indiana State Police, who are leading the inquiries into the man's death, have not detailed any further information as to why the man was shot and why officers were trying to arrest him in the first place.
Sheriff Patrick Williamson has revealed in a statement the deputy who shot and killed Huttle has been placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation takes place.
"Our condolences go out to the family of the deceased as any loss of life is traumatic to those that were close to Mr. Huttle," he said.
Federal records claim Huttle 'was at the forefront of violence when rioters overwhelmed and overran the police line on the West Front' of the Capitol on January 6.
At the time of his sentencing, prosecutors said Huttle's 'only purpose of being at the Capitol was to record video to show possible government corruption', as per the Washington Post.
"Huttle believes that the FBI was responsible for the Capitol riot and explained that he saw actors attacking the Capitol who appeared to have too much training to be civilians," prosecutors added.