Matthew Huttle, a 42-year-old Indiana man recently pardoned by President Donald Trump for his involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot, was fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop on Sunday afternoon.
Traffic Stop Ends in Tragedy
The Jasper County Sheriff’s Department reported that Huttle was stopped at approximately 4:15 p.m. when an altercation occurred between him and the deputy. The department’s statement alleged that Huttle resisted arrest and was found to be carrying a firearm.
The altercation escalated, resulting in the deputy firing their weapon, which fatally wounded Huttle. Sheriff Patrick Williamson has requested an independent investigation by the Indiana State Police.
The deputy involved has been placed on paid administrative leave, per department policy. Williamson extended his condolences to Huttle’s family, stating, “Any loss of life is traumatic to those that were close to Mr. Huttle.”
Connection to January 6
Huttle was among the individuals who participated in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. He pleaded guilty in August 2023 to charges of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds. In November 2023, he was sentenced to six months in federal prison and 12 months of supervised release.
However, earlier this month, Huttle’s sentence was nullified when President Trump issued mass pardons for approximately 1,500 individuals involved in the Capitol riot following his inauguration.
Court documents reveal that Huttle had recorded and uploaded videos of himself inside the Capitol during the riot. In one video, he was heard saying, “We’re going to see if we can get inside.” Security footage confirmed his presence in the Capitol’s crypt.
Legal History
Huttle’s uncle, who accompanied him on January 6, also pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the riot. Unlike Huttle, the uncle was sentenced to 30 months in prison for assaulting officers with a flagpole on the Capitol steps. Both Huttle and his uncle were pardoned as part of Trump’s sweeping clemency initiative.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have yet to release further details about the traffic stop or the circumstances leading to the shooting. The deputy’s identity will be disclosed once state investigators approve its release.
This incident highlights the ongoing reverberations of January 6 and raises questions about the challenges faced by those reintegrating into society after such high-profile events.
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