PULLMAN, Wash. — No one will face charges for an officer-involved shooting that happened on Washington State’s campus in March of last year.
According to the Whitman County Prosecuting Attorney, the officers involved were justified in using force when shooting one round from a pistol at a student who was walking toward them with hands in his pockets despite multiple attempts to stop and show his hands. The prosecuting attorney said the officers tried to use a taser multiple times but it did not work.
Court documents said the student called 911 that morning saying there was a man with a knife in the hallway. He described himself and what he was wearing then went into the hallway to wait for police to arrive. The prosecuting attorney said the student was trying to commit suicide by cop and had a history of mental illness.
The documents stated the officers did not appear to have a reasonable alternative when the weapon was fired, as other de-escalation methods had not worked.
The student involved was not hit by the gunshot and was taken into custody shortly after the incident. He was released to his parents after his court hearing and was taken to a mental health hospital.
The prosecuting attorney said the student does not appear to be a threat to himself or the community at this time and no criminal charges will be filed against him for this incident.
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