Associated Press
OLYMPIA — Thurston County Prosecutor Jon Tunheim won’t file criminal charges against the Washington State Patrol trooper who fatally shot a Spanaway man July 8 in Lacey.
The Olympian reports that Tunheim’s office reviewed a multi-agency investigation into the shooting of Michael Anthony Rude.
Prosecutor’s office spokeswoman Anne Larsen says they determined Trooper John Pierce’s actions were “justified.”
Pierce was on paid leave during the investigation. He returned to full duty on Sept. 11.
Rude’s parents say they’re angry that the trooper won’t face criminal charges for shooting their son three times.
They believe authorities used pieces of their interviews to paint their son as suicidal and they think police should have helped Rude instead of killing him.
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