Officer who shot Trump supporter on Jan. 6 reveals identity: “I saved countless lives."

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For Byrd, who is Black, the incident turned his life upside down. He has been in hiding for months after receiving a flood of death threats and racist attacks that started when his name leaked onto right-wing websites.

But in his interview with Holt, Byrd said he has no doubt that he made the right decision in light of the circumstances.

“I know that day I saved countless lives,” Byrd said. “I know members of Congress, as well as my fellow officers and staff, were in jeopardy and in serious danger. And that’s my job.”

Byrd said he had no idea if the person he shot was carrying a weapon. It was only later that night that he found out the rioter was a woman who was unarmed.

Asked why he pulled the trigger, Byrd said it was a “last resort.”

“I tried to wait as long as I could,” he told Holt. “I hoped and prayed no one tried to enter through those doors. But their failure to comply required me to take the appropriate action to save the lives of members of Congress and myself and my fellow officers.”

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An incident in Byrd’s past has also gained renewed attention online: In 2019, he left his service weapon in a bathroom, where it was eventually discovered by another officer.

In the NBC News interview, Byrd described the incident as a “terrible mistake.”

“I owned up to it. I was penalized for it. I moved on,” he said.

After remaining silent for seven months as the investigations dragged on, Byrd said he wanted to speak out to counter the misrepresentations of his actions that day, even if it exposes him to more threats and vitriol.

“It’s something that is frightening,” Byrd said. “Again, I believe I showed the utmost courage on January 6, and it’s time for me to do that now.”

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