5 Shocking Truths About The 'Did Abby Shoot Ellie' Mystery In The Last Of Us Part II's Ending

The question of whether Abby shot Ellie Williams is one of the most intense and misunderstood moments from the critically acclaimed video game, The Last of Us Part II. As of December 11, 2025, the definitive answer remains a crucial piece of the game's narrative, directly addressing the intention behind the controversial final confrontation on the beach in Santa Barbara. The short answer, based on the established canon of the Naughty Dog game, is a resounding no, but the context surrounding this non-event is far more significant than the action itself.

This article dives deep into the complex final moments of the game, exploring why the highly anticipated showdown between protagonists Ellie Williams and Abby Anderson concluded not with a fatal shot, but with a deliberate act of mercy. Understanding the true ending is essential to grasping the game's central themes of trauma, vengeance, and the possibility of forgiveness in a post-apocalyptic world.

Character Profiles: The Two Sides of Vengeance

To fully appreciate the gravity of the final confrontation, it is vital to understand the journey and motivations of the two central figures.

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Ellie Williams: The Pursuit of Peace Through Blood

• Full Name: Ellie Williams
• First Appearance: The Last of Us (2013)
• Affiliation: Formerly Fireflies, Jackson community
• Primary Motivation in Part II: Revenge for the murder of Joel Miller.
• Key Relationships: Joel (father figure), Dina (partner), Jesse (friend), Tommy (uncle figure).
• Character Arc: Ellie's story is a descent into trauma and violence. Her relentless pursuit of Abby costs her everything: her peaceful life with Dina and her son, her ability to play the guitar, and nearly her soul. Her final act of sparing Abby is the first step toward healing.

Abby Anderson: Redemption Through Protection

• Full Name: Abigail "Abby" Anderson
• First Appearance: The Last of Us Part II (2020)
• Affiliation: Formerly Fireflies, Washington Liberation Front (WLF)
• Primary Motivation in Part II: Initially, revenge for the death of her father (the Firefly surgeon killed by Joel). Later, protection and redemption through her bond with Lev.
• Key Relationships: Owen (former boyfriend), Mel (friend), Lev (surrogate brother/ward).
• Character Arc: Abby begins as a villain to Ellie but is revealed to be a protagonist on her own path of redemption. Her journey with Lev mirrors Joel's relationship with Ellie, forcing her to choose compassion and protection over a life of endless conflict.

The Definitive Answer: Did Abby Shoot Ellie?

The short answer is clear: No, Abby Anderson did not shoot Ellie Williams in the final moments of The Last of Us Part II.

The confusion often stems from the sheer intensity of the final battle and the game's thematic ambiguity. Ellie, driven by an obsessive need for closure and haunted by the memory of Joel’s death, tracks Abby and Lev to Santa Barbara, California. She finds them emaciated and tied to posts by the Rattlers, a slaver group. Ellie frees them but, unable to let go of her vengeance, forces Abby into a brutal fight.

The confrontation culminates with Ellie drowning a weakened Abby in the ocean. As Ellie is about to deliver the killing blow, a crucial flashback occurs: a memory of Joel sitting on his porch, where Ellie had a conversation with him the night before his death. In that memory, she tells Joel she wants to try to forgive him for his lie at the end of the first game.

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This memory acts as an epiphany. Ellie realizes that killing Abby will not bring Joel back, nor will it heal the profound trauma and loss she has endured. It would only perpetuate the cycle of violence that has already cost her so much. Ellie releases Abby, allowing her and Lev to escape in a boat, finally choosing mercy over murder.

The Santa Barbara Showdown: An Emotional Climax, Not a Fatal One

The final sequence on the beach is not a typical boss fight; it is an emotional and philosophical confrontation that serves as the narrative’s true climax. Every action is loaded with symbolic weight.

The Cost of Vengeance

By the time they meet in Santa Barbara, both women are shadows of their former selves. Abby is physically broken from her time with the Rattlers, and Ellie is emotionally and psychologically shattered by her quest for revenge. The fight itself is desperate and ugly, reflecting the futility of their conflict. Ellie has already killed all of Abby’s friends—Manny, Owen, Mel, and Nora—in her pursuit of vengeance.

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The Role of Lev

Lev, Abby's young companion, is instrumental in her path to redemption. He represents the possibility of a future and the non-violent connection she craves. When Ellie initially threatens Lev, it forces Abby to fight, but the presence of a child in need of protection is what ultimately solidifies Abby’s choice to leave the violence behind. Similarly, Lev's presence and Abby's clear focus on him likely contributed to Ellie's final decision to let them go.

The Flashback's Significance

The flashback to Joel is the single most important moment in the entire sequence. It connects Ellie’s current obsession with Abby to her unresolved grief and anger toward Joel. The memory reminds her of her capacity for forgiveness and the love she still held for Joel, despite their strained relationship.

• The Revelation: Forgiveness for Joel must come before peace.
• The Act: Sparing Abby is an act of self-forgiveness and a rejection of the pain that has consumed her.
• The Outcome: Ellie loses the two fingers she uses to play guitar, symbolizing the permanent physical cost of her journey, but gains a chance at emotional recovery.

Unpacking the Cycle of Violence Theme

The entire narrative of The Last of Us Part II is built around the "cycle of violence" and how trauma is passed from one person to the next. The question "Did Abby shoot Ellie?" is designed to make the player expect the cycle to continue with another tragic death.

Naughty Dog, the game's developer, intentionally subverts this expectation. By having Ellie spare Abby, the cycle is broken. This ending is highly unconventional and divisive for many players who felt Ellie *deserved* her revenge, but it speaks to a deeper, more mature theme: that the greatest victory is not killing your enemy, but choosing to live a life free from the need to destroy them.

Ellie's final scene, returning to the empty farmhouse (The Farm) and leaving Joel's guitar behind, shows her accepting the irreversible losses of her journey. She is alone, but she is no longer driven by hate. She has achieved a form of peace, not through the death of her enemy, but through the salvation of her own soul.