The U.S. Capitol Police officer who fatally shot a San Diego woman during the Jan. 6 insurrection will reveal his identity publicly for the first time Thursday in an interview with NBC News, the network announced.
On Monday, the USCP said the officer who shot and killed 35-year-old protestor Ashli Babbitt during the January riots would not face internal discipline because his conduct "was lawful and within department policy."
But the agency did not release the officer's name out of safety concerns — saying, "This officer and the officer's family have been the subject of numerous credible and specific threats."
Now, however, the officer is coming forward during an interview with NBC News anchor Lester Holt that's set to air Thursday night, the network said.
The first airing of the interview is set for 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday. On the West Coast, the newscast airs at 6:30 p.m. local time.
"Speaking out and revealing his identity publicly for the first time, the officer will share his perspective on the events of that day, including the aftermath of the deadly insurrection and the threats he has received," NBC said in a news release.
"He will also discuss the recent news that Capitol Police will not discipline him following an internal review, exonerating him for use of force."
Additional portions of the interview are to air on TODAY and MSNBC, the network said. It will also be available on NBCNews.com and NBC News NOW following Nightly News.
The USCP on Monday released a statement clearing the officer and indicating the department had completed an internal investigation into the death of Babbitt.
"The actions of the officer in this case potentially saved members and staff from serious injury and possible death from a large crowd of rioters who forced their way into the U.S. Capitol and to the House Chamber where members and staff were steps away," the statement said.
The announcement followed a Department of Justice announcement in April that stated the officer would not face criminal prosecution.
Video footage from the Jan. 6 raid showed that Babbitt, a 14-year Air Force veteran, was shot while climbing through the busted-out window of a door to the Speaker's Lobby.
Officers barricaded the doorway with furniture to stop the crowd from entering the Speaker's Lobby and the Chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Babbitt was one of five people who died during the insurrection, including a police officer.
Babbitt's family previously filed a lawsuit seeking records identifying the officer. An attorney representing the family also previously indicated he would be filing a wrongful death and excessive force lawsuit in connection with the shooting.
