An Indiana man pardoned by Donald Trump for his role in the January 6 Capitol riot met a violent end. Matthew Huttle, 42, was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop on Sunday afternoon.
The shocking incident unfolded on Indiana State Road 14, near the Pulaski County line. A Jasper County Sheriff’s deputy pulled Huttle over and attempted to arrest him, according to Indiana State Police.
A tense confrontation escalated quickly. Huttle, who allegedly had a gun in his car, ended up fatally shot. The deputy fired his weapon, leaving Huttle dead at the scene.
A troubled past with a presidential pardon
Huttle, from Hobart, Indiana, made headlines recently. Just last week, he was pardoned by Trump. The pardon erased his misdemeanor charge for entering a restricted building during the Capitol riot.
In 2023, Huttle had pleaded guilty and served six months behind bars. He was released in July 2024 and was one of approximately 1,500 individuals tied to the January 6 events who received clemency from Trump.
From riot to redemption?
Back in 2021, Huttle traveled to Washington, D.C., with his uncle. He attended Trump’s speech and joined the chaos at the Capitol. Inside the building for 16 minutes, he recorded videos of the events.
His defense lawyer, Andrew Hemmer, described Huttle as a man without deep political convictions. “He is not a true believer in any political cause,” Hemmer said in court filings. Huttle had attended the rally simply to witness what he thought was “a historic moment.”
Authorities remain tight-lipped about the traffic stop and why Huttle was being arrested. Indiana State Police are now leading the investigation.
Sheriff Patrick Williamson confirmed the deputy involved has been placed on paid administrative leave. This is standard procedure during such investigations.
Condolences and controversy
In a statement, Sheriff Williamson expressed sympathy for Huttle’s family. “Our condolences go out to the family of the deceased. Any loss of life is traumatic to those close to Mr. Huttle,” he said.
The dramatic turn of events leaves more questions than answers. What sparked the deadly altercation? Why was Huttle armed? Investigators have yet to provide clarity.
