LAKEWOOD — The Pierce County prosecutor says four Lakewood police officers were justified in fatally shooting a soldier who pointed a gun at them.
Prosecutor Mark Lindquist said Thursday the shooting was necessary for their own safety. He also said the death appeared to be “suicide by cop.”
Police said Trenton Lloyd Thorp shot himself in the head on a Lakewood street early on Oct. 23. As officers arrived he pointed his gun at an officer and was shot when he refused to drop it.
The autopsy found the original head wound was not fatal or totally disabling.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord said the 26-year-old had arrived at the base in early October. Neighbors told The News Tribune Thorp had recently returned from Afghanistan and lived with his fiancee and two children.
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