Cop who fatally shot J6 protestor has lengthy disciplinary record that includes gun incidents

Contact Your Elected Officials
Just the News Header

The issues in officer Michael Byrd’s background included a failed shotgun qualification test, a failed FBI background check, a suspension for a lost weapon and referral to prosecutors for firing his gun at a stolen car.

The Capitol Police officer who fatally shot Ashli Babbitt during the Jan. 6 riots and then was promoted has a lengthy internal affairs and disciplinary record that includes firearm-related incidents, a sweeping congressional investigation has found. 

The issues in Captain Michael Byrd’s background included a failed shotgun qualification test, a failed FBI background check for a weapon’s purchase, a 33-day suspension for a lost weapon and referral to Maryland state prosecutors for firing his gun at a stolen car fleeing his neighborhood, according to congressional and police documents obtained by Just the News.

Byrd’s record was uncovered during a larger House Administration Oversight Subcommittee investigation into the Capitol Police disciplinary process and was chronicled in a letter Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., the panel’s chairman, sent Wednesday to the department’s chief, Thomas Manger, in which the lawmaker expressed concerns about the officer’s promotion to captain. 

“This Subcommittee is dedicated to ensuring USCP has autonomy from political pressures so it can make operational and personnel decisions,” Loudermilk wrote in the letter. “However, based on the information obtained by the Subcommittee regarding USCP’s handling of Captain Byrd following January 6, 2021, and his significant disciplinary history, I have concerns about USCP’s decision to promote him to the rank of Captain.” 

You can read the letter below: List of incidents:

File: 11.20.2024 Letter From Rep. Barry Loudermilk to USCP Chief of Police Manger.pdf

The incidents described in Loudermilk’s letter are corroborated by congressional records and police reports that date as early as 2004 including: 

  • A 2004 incident where Byrd, who was off duty, fired his weapon at a stolen vehicle as it was fleeing his residential neighborhood;
  • A 2015 “conduct unbecoming an officer” complaint filed by a fellow officer after Byrd, again off duty, confronted him while the officer was working at a high school football game in an incident with racial overtones; 
  • A 33-day suspension in 2019 after Byrd left his service weapon unattended in a public Capitol Hill bathroom; 
  • A failure to pass a routine background check shortly after Jan. 6 when attempting to purchase a shotgun for home protection, after the USCP worked to provide Byrd a department-issued shotgun instead, he failed the training; and
  • Three further referrals to the Capitol Police Office of Professional Responsibility for which records are reportedly missing. 

Mark Schamel, the lawyer representing Byrd, did not respond several requests for comment. The U.S. Capitol Police also did not return several inquiries from Just the News.

By John Solomon and Steven Richards

Read Full Article on JustTheNews.com

Just The News
Just The Newshttps://justthenews.com/
JusttheNews.com tries to stand out by returning to the bedrock promise of getting news first, but first getting it right. We try to deliver news you can trust.

The Paradoxical Patriot: The political odyssey of Frank S. Meyer

In his book, Daniel J. Flynn examines the ideological evolution of one of conservatism’s most paradoxical and overlooked architects, Frank S. Meyer. 

This Is America: Target™ Reparations

“This Is America” explores the cultural undercurrents pulling Western...

Blind Man’s Shutdown

Congress is playing the equivalent of Bind Man's Bluff. With the shout “tag your it” they seek to blame the other party for the government shutdown.

A Reluctant Acknowledgment: What Conservatives Can Admire in Everyday Progressives

Admirable ideological qualities seen in liberals and left-wing individuals are those of the everyday believer not their political leadership.

Ensuring Domestic Tranquility

The Supremacy Clause in Article VI of the U.S. Constitution establishes it as the highest law of the land, taking precedence over conflicting state laws.

Hegseth Says Military Has Every Authorization Needed for Strikes on Drug Boats

Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth said the U.S. military is authorized to strike drug-running boats off Venezuela’s coast in the Caribbean Sea.

White House Official Says Layoffs Will Start Soon If Shutdown Talks Go Nowhere

Kevin Hassett said layoffs to federal workforce could occur quickly if negotiations with Democrats to reopen the government don’t lead to progress.

20 Teachers in California Facing Disciplinary Action for Posts on Charlie Kirk

California school districts move to discipline teachers for derogatory social media posts about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

Trump Coal Boost Gains Momentum as Bids, Land Opened Up

Trump administration accelerates coal expansion with new leases, mine permits, and 13.1 million acres of federal land opened for coal mining.

Department of Energy Cancels $7.5 Billion in Project Funding

The Dept of Energy (DOE) said on Oct. 2 that it had terminated 321 federal grants funding 223 projects, amounting to about $7.56 billion in cuts.

White House Withdraws EJ Antoni’s Nomination to Lead Bureau of Labor Statistics

The White House has withdrawn economist EJ Antoni’s nomination to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the White House confirmed on Sept. 30.

US to Impose 100 Percent Tariffs on Foreign-Made Movies, Trump Says

President Donald Trump announced on Sept. 29 that he will impose a 100 percent tariff on all movies produced outside the United States.

Trump to Host Netanyahu at White House to Discuss Gaza Peace Plan

President Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House on Sept. 29 to discuss a ceasefire and broader peace plan for Gaza.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central