A tragic incident unfolded in Indiana on Sunday, when Matthew Huttle, a 42-year-old man recently pardoned by President Donald Trump for his involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot, was shot and killed during a traffic stop.
The fatal encounter occurred at approximately 4:15 PM on State Road 14, near the Jasper-Pulaski county lines.
Details of the Shooting Incident
According to Indiana State Police, the traffic stop escalated when a deputy from the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department attempted to arrest Huttle.
Authorities reported that Huttle allegedly resisted arrest and struggled with the officer, leading the deputy to fire his weapon.
While the exact reason for the traffic stop has not been disclosed, police did confirm that Huttle was in possession of a firearm, though it remains unclear whether he brandished the weapon during the altercation.
Background on Matthew Huttle
Huttle’s name had previously been in the news due to his involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot.
Along with his uncle, Dale Huttle, Matthew participated in the attack on the U.S. Capitol.
The FBI reported that Huttle entered the Capitol building for about 10 minutes but remained on the grounds for several hours, roaming through multiple offices, hallways, and the Crypt area.
Huttle was eventually arrested in Boise, Idaho, in November 2022 after being identified in videos from the riot.
He later pleaded guilty to entering a restricted building, with his defense attorney suggesting that Huttle’s motives for attending the rally were not politically driven.
According to his lawyer, Andrew Hemmer, Huttle had accompanied his uncle to the Capitol because it was a “historic moment” and he had “nothing better to do” after recently being released from jail for a previous driving offense.
A Troubled Past
Huttle’s life was marked by significant personal struggles.
His attorney highlighted a history of severe alcohol abuse, which began in his teenage years.
For nearly 15 years, Huttle consumed large amounts of alcohol daily, which the lawyer argued contributed to many of his criminal issues and life difficulties.
Huttle’s personal tragedies were numerous; his mother passed away in April 2023, and his son’s mother died from a fentanyl overdose in 2022.
Additionally, Huttle had faced physical violence throughout his life, including being shot in the knee in 2015 and attacked with a hammer and baseball bat by his son’s mother’s boyfriend in 2018.
His health had also deteriorated due to chronic conditions like arthritis, emphysema, and cirrhosis of the liver, which was caused by his excessive drinking.
Prison Sentence and Recent Pardons
Huttle had served a federal prison sentence of six months, which ended in July 2024.
Following his release, he was placed on supervised release for a year.
His uncle, Dale Huttle, was convicted of more severe charges related to assaulting law enforcement officers with a dangerous weapon during the Capitol riot.
Dale received a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence, but like many others involved in the riot, he was pardoned by President Trump on January 20, 2025.
Investigation Underway
Following the fatal shooting of Matthew Huttle, the Indiana State Police are leading the investigation into the incident.
As per standard procedure, the deputy who fired his weapon has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation continues.
Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be forwarded to the county prosecutor for review.
Jasper County Sheriff Patrick Williamson expressed his condolences to Huttle’s family, acknowledging that the loss of life is always traumatic for those close to the deceased.
The sheriff also stated that the name of the deputy involved would be released once approval is granted by State Police Detectives.
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