A January 6 rioter who was pardoned by Donald Trump for his role in the disorder has been shot dead by police during a traffic stop.
Matthew Huttle, 42, was shot dead by a police officer during a stop on Sunday in Jasper County, Indiana, just days after being pardoned by the US president.
Huttle had previously been sentenced to six months in custody after pleading guilty to entering a restricted building, the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
State police, who are investigating, said an officer tried to arrest Huttle on Sunday when an “altercation” took place and the officer opened fire.
"The investigation also shows that during the traffic stop, the suspect was in possession of a firearm," a spokesperson said.
No other details were released, including the officer’s name. The officer was placed on paid administrative leave.
"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," Sheriff Patrick Williamson said.
Nick Barnes, a lawyer who was representing Mr Huttle in an upcoming case in nearby Lake County, said he didn't know the circumstances of the shooting.
"I plan to find out a lot more about it," he told the Associated Press.
Huttle travelled with his uncle to Washington to attend the January 6, 2021, pro-Trump rally in which crowds stormed the Capitol building.
Huttle was inside the Capitol for 16 minutes and recorded it on video, his trial heard.
"He is not a true believer in any political cause," defence lawyer Andrew Hemmer said in a court filing in that case.
"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 offence.
Huttle was one of the almost 1,500 people pardoned by Trump upon his return to the White House.
