SEATTLE — Officials say a gun allegedly carried by a man who was shot to death by Seattle police appears to have been bought by a former King County sheriff’s deputy in 2013.
The Seattle Times reported that former deputy Daniel J. Murphy disputes the claim, saying through a lawyer he’s the victim of mistaken identity. Murphy was fired last year after an unrelated domestic dispute and is appealing that decision.
The Seattle office of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating how a gun apparently purchased by the then-deputy wound up in the hands of Che Taylor, a felon barred from owning a firearm.
Police say officers fired on Taylor as he reached for the gun as they tried to arrest him Feb. 21.
Taylor’s family and supporters have condemned the shooting and disputed the police account.
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