An Indiana man who was recently pardoned by President Donald Trump for his involvement in the U.S. Capitol riot was shot and killed by police during a traffic stop just days later.
Matthew Huttle, 42, was killed on Sunday after police stopped his vehicle. According to Indiana State Police (ISP), Huttle allegedly resisted and got into an “altercation” with an officer. The circumstances surrounding his arrest remain unclear, but authorities confirmed he was in possession of a firearm at the time of the stop.
Huttle was one of nearly 1,600 individuals pardoned or granted commutations by Trump last week for their roles in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, when supporters of the former president stormed the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on paid administrative leave, and Indiana State Police are investigating the incident. Jasper County Sheriff Patrick Williamson emphasized the need for transparency, requesting an investigation into the officer-involved shooting.
Huttle, along with his uncle, Dale Huttle, was among those sentenced for their involvement in the Capitol breach. Matthew Huttle was inside the Capitol for about ten minutes during the riot and later received a six-month prison sentence as part of a plea deal. He was released in July 2024.
Huttle’s uncle, Dale, has expressed no regret for participating in the riot, saying, “I’m not ashamed of being there. It was our duty as patriots.”
Huttle’s death follows a similar incident involving another January 6th rioter, Daniel Bell of Florida, who was rearrested on federal gun charges last week.
Both Huttle and Bell were among the many rioters whose charges were dismissed by Trump on his first day back in the White House. Among those pardoned were leaders of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, two far-right groups central to the Capitol attack.
Trump defended the pardons, calling the treatment of the rioters by the justice system “outrageous” and claiming it was a rare instance in U.S. history. However, some, including Senator Lindsey Graham, have criticized the pardons, calling it a “mistake” to forgive those who violently attacked law enforcement officers during the riot.
