A recent presidential pardon recipient met a tragic end during a routine traffic stop in northwest Indiana.
According to ABC7 Chicago, Matthew W. Huttle, a 42-year-old Hobart resident who received a pardon from former President Donald Trump for his role in the January 6 Capitol riot, was fatally shot by a Jasper County Sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop on Sunday afternoon.
The incident occurred around 4:15 p.m. on State Route 14, near the Pulaski County line. Indiana State Police reported that the situation escalated when the deputy attempted to arrest Huttle, who then resisted.
Though authorities confirmed Huttle possessed a firearm at the time, the specific circumstances leading to the shooting remain unclear.
Huttle's pardon, granted just days before the incident, stemmed from his involvement in the Capitol riot, where he spent 16 minutes inside the building recording video footage.
His legal journey included a guilty plea to entering a restricted building, resulting in a six-month custody sentence.
His defense attorney, Andrew Hemmer, previously stated:
He is not a true believer in any political cause. He instead 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.
The pardon also extended to Huttle's uncle, Dale Huttle, who faced more serious charges for assaulting law enforcement with a dangerous weapon during the riot. The elder Huttle had received a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence before the presidential intervention.
Jasper County Sheriff Patrick Williamson addressed the incident with a commitment to transparency. He emphasized the standard protocol of placing the involved officer on paid administrative leave pending investigation.
The sheriff stated:
For full transparency, I requested the Indiana State Police to investigate this officer involved shooting. The officer that is involved has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard protocol and is our policy in these situations. 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.
The investigation remains active as authorities work to piece together the exact sequence of events. The identity of the deputy involved will be released following approval from State Police detectives.
The fatal shooting of Matthew Huttle marks a significant incident in northwest Indiana's law enforcement history. A recently pardoned Capitol riot participant lost his life during what began as a routine traffic stop near the Pulaski County line.
The Indiana State Police continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting while the involved deputy remains on administrative leave. The incident has drawn attention due to Huttle's recent presidential pardon and his connection to the January 6 Capitol riot, adding complexity to an already sensitive situation.
