Credited from: HUFFPOST
Key Takeaways:
An Indiana man recently pardoned by President Donald Trump for his participation in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot was shot and killed by police during a traffic stop. Matthew Huttle, aged 42, from Hobart, Indiana, was fatally wounded by a Jasper County sheriff's deputy, according to statements from Indiana State Police.
The police reported that the traffic stop occurred around 4:15 PM on State Road 14, where the deputy attempted to arrest Huttle. Authorities noted that an altercation ensued, leading to the deputy firing his weapon. The state police indicated that Huttle was in possession of a firearm during the incident, but it remains unclear whether he brandished it.
Huttle had been recently pardoned by Trump as part of approximately 1,600 clemency grants on the first day of his second term. In November 2023, Huttle pleaded guilty to charges related to entering a restricted building and was sentenced to six months in prison. His uncle, Dale Huttle, who traveled to Washington with him for the rally, faced a lengthier 30-month sentence for assaulting officers. Huttle was reportedly inside the Capitol for about ten minutes during the insurrection and filmed the events as they unfolded. His attorney stated that Huttle did not hold any deep-seated political motivations for attending the rally, viewing it instead as a historical occasion.
Jasper County Sheriff Patrick Williamson expressed condolences to Huttle’s family following this tragic event and confirmed that the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation. The incident has raised concerns regarding potential escalated violence among those pardoned, as another participant, Daniel Ball, was rearrested shortly after his pardon on gun-related charges. For full transparency, Sheriff Williamson requested the Indiana State Police investigate the shooting incident to ensure an extensive review.
The shooting highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the aftermath of the January 6 events and the implications of Trump's pardons, as experts caution that such actions may spur further acts of violence. Investigators are now delving into the specifics of Huttle's confrontation with law enforcement during the ill-fated traffic stop. More details are expected as the investigation unfolds, as noted in the coverage by reputable news outlets such as AP News, CBS News, and HuffPost.