OFFICER WHO SHOT ASHLI BABBITT: 'I SAVED COUNTLESS LIVES, BECAUSE I HAD WAY MORE BULLETS IN MY GUN.'

In the chaotic minutes before he shot and killed Ashli Babbitt during the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, Lt. Michael Byrd focused his attention on the glass doors leading into the lobby of the House of Representatives chamber.

​"If they get through that door, they’re into the House chamber and upon the members of Congress," added Byrd, who gave NBC News permission to use his name after authorities had declined to release it.

Byrd said he had no idea whether the person he shot was carrying a weapon. It was only later that night that he found out that the rioter was a woman who was unarmed. Asked why he pulled the trigger, Byrd said it was a "last resort."

Asked if he feels he saved lives, even after finding out none of the protesters were armed, Byrd said, "Yep. Well, I guess so. I mean, as it turns out nobody else had a gun, so I guess The lives which were saved were the other protesters who would have attempted to come after me. My restraint, on pulling the trigger again, literally saved countless lives".