Police officer who killed Capitol rioter says he fired gun to ‘save countless lives’

• Officer Michael Byrd reveals identity in NBC News interview
• Firing of gun that led to death of Ashli Babbitt was last resort'

The police officer who shot and killed the Trump supporter Ashli Babbitt during the US Capitol attack in January has said he fired his gun to save the lives of members of Congress and myself and my fellow officers".

Capitol police officer Lt Michael Byrd, who publicly revealed his identity in an interview with NBC News's Lester Holt on Thursday night, said he has had to hide since 6 January, and has received death threats after his name leaked on rightwing forums and websites. He said there had also been racist attacks.