Matthew Huttle, an Indiana man who was recently pardoned by President Donald Trump for the Capitol riot of January 6, 2020, was shot dead by a deputy during a traffic stop on Sunday, January 26. According to the New York Post, Huttle had an altercation with a Jasper County deputy. Said deputy pulled him over and then attempted to arrest Huttle.
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"An altercation took place between the suspect and the officer, which resulted in the officer firing his weapon and fatally wounding the suspect," a police news release reads. While reports say that Matthew Huttle had a gun, it is uncertain what caused the deputy to fire at him. There is no information regarding the reason for Huttle being pulled over, either.
Huttle pleaded guilty to entering a restricted building back in 2023, according to abc7. He was sentenced to six months in prison. Huttle wasn't alone, though, as he entered the Capitol with his uncle, Dale Huttle. Dale received a harsher sentence. He faced more charges such as assaulting a police officer with a dangerous weapon. He was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.
Sentenced And Pardoned
Previously, Andrew Hemmer, Huttle's attorney, defended his client. He said that "he is not a true believer in any political cause." "He instead went to the rally because he thought it would be a historic moment and he had nothing better to do after getting out of jail" for a driving offense," Hemmer said.
However, on January 20, 2025, Donald Trump pardoned around 1,500 January 6 defendants. Among them were Matthew Huttle and his uncle. While Matthew was released in July 2024, following his sentences, Dale Huttle was released after he was pardoned.
Currently, there is no information regarding the identity of the officer who shot Huttle. Jasper Couty Sheriff Patrick Williamson shared a statement with abc7, addressing the incident.
"The officer that is involved has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard protocol and is our policy in these situations," Williamson said. "Our condolences go out to the family of the deceased as any loss of life is traumatic to those that were close to Mr. Huttle." Williamson then said that, after he receives approval from State Police Detectives, he will release the officer's name.
