An Indiana man who was pardoned by President Trump for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot was shot dead by a deputy during a traffic stop Sunday afternoon, according to authorities.
Matthew Huttle was killed in an altercation with a Jasper County Sheriff’s deputy who pulled him over on Indiana State Road 14 near the Pulaski County line and attempted to arrest the 42-year-old, state police said.
“An altercation took place between the suspect and the officer, which resulted in the officer firing his weapon and fatally wounding the suspect,” state police said in a news release.
Huttle allegedly had a gun on him inside the car, according to authorities.
The slain suspect, who was from the city of Hobart, was granted a pardon from the president last week that wiped clean a misdemeanor charge tied to his involvement in the Capitol riot.
He was sentenced to six months behind bars in 2023 after he pleaded guilty to entering a restricted building. He was released from jail in July 2024, according to the Washington Post.
He was among around 1,500 January 6 defendants who received clemency from Trump.
In 2021, Huttle traveled with his uncle to attend Trump’s speech to supporters leading up to the chaos at the Capitol, where he was inside the building for 16 minutes and recorded it on video.
His defense attorney at the time said in a court filing he 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 offense.
“He is not a true believer in any political cause,” defense attorney Andrew Hemmer insisted at the time.
Indiana State Police did not reveal more information about the circumstances around the shooting, including why Huttle was being arrested. The agency is taking the lead on the investigation.
The deputy who shot and killed Huttle was placed on paid administrative leave, which is protocol for the sheriff’s office, Sheriff Patrick Williamson said in a statement.
“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,” he stated.
With Post wires
