Matthew Huttle, a man involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, was recently granted a pardon by former President Donald Trump but died after being shot by law enforcement during a traffic stop in Indiana on January 26. Huttle, 42, had served a six-month prison sentence for his participation in the riot and was released in July 2024. Trump’s latest wave of pardons extended to more than 1,500 individuals connected to the Capitol breach.

Authorities reported that a confrontation erupted between Huttle and a Jasper County Sheriff’s deputy during the traffic stop, culminating in the deputy fatally shooting him. While police confirmed Huttle was carrying a weapon, specific details about the altercation or the initial reason for the stop remain undisclosed. The deputy involved has been placed on paid leave as investigations proceed.

Huttle had previously asserted that the FBI orchestrated the Capitol riot and alleged that highly trained “actors” played a role in the events. His death has reignited discussions about accountability for January 6 participants and the implications of Trump’s pardons. Officials offered condolences to Huttle’s family, acknowledging the tragedy’s distressing impact on all involved.