Matthew J. Huttle, a 42-year-old Indiana man recently pardoned by President Donald Trump for his role in the January 6 Capitol riot, was fatally shot during a traffic stop in Jasper County, Indiana, on Sunday evening. The shooting occurred following an altercation with a sheriff's deputy after Huttle resisted arrest, according to a statement from Indiana State Police.

Police stopped Huttle on State Road 14 and attempted to arrest him for undisclosed reasons. During the interaction, Huttle reportedly resisted, leading to a scuffle that resulted in the officer firing his weapon and fatally wounding him. It was confirmed that Huttle was armed at the time of the incident, though specifics surrounding the use of the firearm are unclear at present.

Huttle's involvement in the January 6 riots positioned him among the nearly 1,600 individuals pardoned by Trump, who characterized them as political prisoners. Huttle had previously pleaded guilty for entering restricted grounds during the riot and had served a six-month sentence. According to reports from Newsweek, Huttle was notably at the forefront of violence during the Capitol events, although he later expressed considerable remorse for his actions.

In the days leading up to his death, Huttle, accompanied by his uncle, who had previously assaulted law enforcement with a flagpole during the January 6 riot, traveled to Washington, D.C., to document what they both perceived as a historical event. Despite his uncle’s more violent actions, Huttle’s role primarily involved recording footage of the events at the Capitol.

Following the shooting, the deputy involved has been placed on paid administrative leave in accordance with standard protocol. Jasper County Sheriff Patrick Williamson expressed condolences to Huttle’s family, recognizing the trauma of losing a loved one. Experts are now raising concerns that Trump’s pardons could encourage further political violence, as another pardoned rioter was recently rearrested on federal gun charges.

The incident raises ongoing questions about the consequences of the January 6 insurrection and the implications of pardoning those involved in such politically charged activities. As scrutiny of these pardons continues, authorities will likely investigate the circumstances of Huttle’s shooting, an event that highlights the ongoing discord in American political life.

For more details, read the full article by The Daily Beast.