Trump-Pardoned Rioter Killed in Traffic Stop

A 42-year-old man who received a pardon from President Donald Trump last week for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, storming of Capitol Hill was shot and killed by a police officer during a traffic stop in Indiana.

According to the Indiana State Police, Matthew Huttle was identified as the deceased suspect. Preliminary investigations revealed that the incident occurred during a traffic stop conducted by a Jasper County Sheriff's deputy at approximately 4:15 p.m. on Sunday.

During the traffic stop, Huttle attempted to resist arrest, leading to an altercation with the officer. The officer fired their weapon, fatally wounding Huttle. Investigators also found that Huttle was in possession of a firearm during the traffic stop.

Huttle had previously been sentenced to six months in prison in 2023 for entering the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. He pleaded guilty to the charges and had recorded his time inside the Capitol Building on video.

According to his defense attorney, Andrew Hemmer, Huttle was not a staunch believer in any political cause, but rather attended the rally because he thought it would be a historic moment.

Huttle was among the over 1,500 individuals who received pardons from Trump last week, following a major prosecution effort against January 6 protesters under the Biden-Harris administration.

Jasper County Sheriff Patrick Williamson released a statement confirming that the officer involved in the shooting incident has been placed on paid administrative leave. Williamson expressed condolences to Huttle's family, stating that any loss of life is traumatic for those close to the deceased.