SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - The Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office determined Spokane County Sheriff’s deputy Joseph Wallace was justified in shooting and killing Ethan Murray at a Spokane Valley apartment complex.
The Spokesman-Review reports deputies responded to a report of a disorderly male near the Parkside Apartments at Mirabeau May 4.
Prosecutors say Murray was running between kids outside and that no weapons were seen but Murray appeared to be high on an unknown substance.
Prosecutors say Wallace saw Murray moving toward a wooded area and reaching around his waistline.
Prosecutors say Wallace gave commands for Murray to stop and Murray responded with expletives.
When Wallace moved to cut Murray off they came face to face and prosecutors say Wallace shot Murray after Murray refused commands and moved toward Wallace with what Wallace thought was a knife. It was a pair of sunglasses.
The prosecutor’s office determined Wallace was justified in shooting Murray because the law takes into account that he could reasonably believe Murray posed a threat of serious bodily harm.
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Information from: The Spokesman-Review, http://www.spokesman.com
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