Lt. Michael Byrd Who Shot Ashli Babbitt Dead on Jan. 6, 2021 in Cold Blood, Runs an ‘Unaccredited’ Day-Care Center in Maryland at His Home and Has Pocketed $190 Million in HHS Funds
Captain Michael Byrd and his home daycare in Maryland.
In one of the final actions carried out using an autopen before Joe Biden left office, a pardon was issued to U.S. Capitol Police Captain Michael Byrd, the officer who shot and killed January 6 protester Ashli Babbitt during the unrest at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
As previously reported by TGP contributor Brian Lupo, video footage from inside the Capitol shows Byrd firing a single fatal shot at Babbitt as she attempted to climb through a narrow broken window near a barricaded entrance leading to the Speaker of the House’s office area. Babbitt was unarmed at the time, and no verbal warning can be heard on the video prior to the shooting.
Although an internal investigation later cleared Byrd of wrongdoing, critics continue to raise concerns about the rapid escalation to deadly force, noting that no visible attempt was made to detain or subdue Babbitt before the shot was fired. Video from the scene also shows other armed law enforcement officers nearby who appeared available to provide backup.
In an exclusive interview with @LesterHoltNBC, Capitol Police Lieutenant Michael Byrd describes why he’s choosing to identify himself. Byrd shares his account of the January 6 riot, as officers barricaded the door and he fired a single shot, killing Ashli Babbitt. pic.twitter.com/5E7KPtxNc2
— NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas (@NBCNightlyNews) August 26, 2021
Byrd’s professional record has also drawn scrutiny. In February 2019, he reportedly left his Glock 22 service weapon unattended in a Capitol Visitor Center restroom. Additionally, Byrd had his police powers temporarily revoked on multiple occasions after failing to meet semiannual firearms qualification standards.
Months after the shooting, Byrd defended his actions during an interview with NBC News, stating that he believed the killing of Babbitt saved “countless lives.” He also complained about receiving death threats following the incident, calling the situation “disheartening” and insisting he was simply “doing my job.”
On Tuesday, investigative journalist Paul Sperry reported that Byrd—formerly a lieutenant and now a captain—has operated an unaccredited daycare center out of his Maryland home with his wife since 2008. According to Sperry, the operation has been in place for nearly 17 years.
Sperry further alleged that the Byrds have received approximately $190 million through a Health and Human Services daycare funding program. The daycare’s website reportedly lists no public reviews.
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