Woman killed in Capitol riot shooting identified as US Air Force veteran, reports say

Circumstances of shooting still unclear and DC police are investigating

The woman who was shot and killed during the pro-Trump storming of the US Capitol has been identified, according to local news reports.

Ashli Babbit of San Diego, a 14-year veteran of the US Air Force, was struck by a bullet after she entered the legislative complex with rioters.

Fox 5 reports that Ms Babbit’s mother-in-law identified her on Wednesday evening and KUSI spoke with her husband.

Ms Babbit’s husband did not travel to Washington, DC with her.

“I really don’t know why she decided to do this,” her mother-in-law told Fox 5.

As clashes between rioters and law enforcement personnel escalated, many of the pro-Trump mob that had marched from the rally near the White House earlier that morning managed to break into the building.

In the confusion inside, a shot rang out and Ms Babbit was seen to collapse to the ground,  footage posted to Twitter shows.

It appears that she may have been climbing through a window at the time. Ms Babbit did not appear to be armed.

Those nearby were shocked and attempted to help her, including armed police officers who called out an alert of an active shooter and performed first aid.

Follow live:  Four people killed in Capitol riots 

She was rushed to hospital in critical condition by paramedics, but was later pronounced dead from a gunshot wound to the chest.

Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department has not confirmed her identity; chief Robert Contee said a Capitol police officer fired the shot.

KUSI reports that she served four tours with the Air Force and was high-level security official during that time.

Her husband says that she was a patriot and strong supporter of Donald Trump.

On Tuesday morning she tweeted: “Nothing will stop us….they can try and try and try but the storm is here and it is descending upon DC in less than 24 hours….dark to light!”