Lynnwood officer’s fatal shooting of suspect ruled justified

A man had been harassing an ex-girlfriend, and when police went to investigate, he rushed them.

Chassady LeClair (Washington state Department of Corrections. )

Chassady LeClair (Washington state Department of Corrections. )

EVERETT — A Lynnwood police officer acted lawfully when he fatally shot an ex-con who rushed toward him outside an Everett home nearly a year ago, Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Roe has determined.

Roe late last month wrote detectives who investigated the Dec. 17 death of Chassady LeClair to inform them of his decision. The Daily Herald obtained police reports about the shooting and the prosecutor’s ruling under state public records laws.

LeClair, 44, was a convicted sex offender who in the days prior to the shooting had been harassing an ex-girlfriend.

She went to Lynnwood police. They reviewed several text messages that threatened the woman, including one that read “U will suffer before I let u die.” LeClair also warned he would kill police if they attempted to intervene, a threat he made while officers were listening to him on a speaker phone.

Police obtained a judge’s permission to trace the location of LeClair’s cellphone, and that led them to a home along Friday Avenue in Everett. LeClair was wanted on a state Department of Corrections warrant and the officers had developed probable cause to arrest him for felony harassment, documents show.

An investigation by the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team found the gunfire broke out when officers attempted to take LeClair into custody when they came upon him outside the house.

Tests later showed LeClair was intoxicated. Police and civilian witnesses described how the man ignored repeated orders to get on the ground and surrender and instead threw objects at the officers. Those turned out to be heavy, metal balls.

LeClair reportedly was running at and reaching for Lynnwood officer Sam Zacharia when the officer fired four times, striking the man in the chest with three bullets. The shots were fired at close range, anywhere from two feet to 10 feet away, the investigation found.

Zacharia told investigators that he was yelling “Stop!” and LeClair was reaching toward his waistband, possibly for a weapon, as he closed the distance.

A civilian witness described how the officer was stepping back and shouting at LeClair to surrender. The witness said the gunfire erupted when the man was only about two feet away, and reaching toward the officer’s weapon, Roe noted.

The prosecutor spoke with LeClair’s mother, who lives in another state, prior to announcing his decision.

“It is apparent many people cared for Mr. LeClair, and his death is extremely unfortunate,” Roe wrote. “Nonetheless, the officer who shot him reasonably felt he was a second away from losing his own life if disarmed by someone who had promised to kill police. I don’t think he had any option but to fire when he did.”

LeClair was wearing deer horns on his head at the time of the shooting. Officers learned the man was Native American, and the horns were an important symbol in his tribe, records say.

SMART is made up of seasoned detectives from around the county. It is tasked with investigating cases where police have used fatal force.

The lead investigators in this case were sheriff’s detective Dave Bilyeu and Marysville police detective Craig Bartl.

Scott North: 425-339-3431; north@herald net.com. Twitter: @snorthnews.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mukilteo in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
On second go, Mukilteo City Council votes against sales tax hike

A veto from Mayor Joe Marine forced the council to bring the potential 0.1% sales tax increase back for another vote Monday.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Two visitors comb the beach at Kayak Point Regional County Park on Friday, June 14, 2024, in Tulalip, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Nate Nehring and WSU Beach Watchers to host beach cleanup at Kayak Point

Children and families are especially encouraged to attend the event at Kayak Point Regional County Park.

One person dead in single-vehicle fatal crash near Stanwood

A 33-year-old male was found dead at the scene Monday evening with his vehicle partially wrapped around a tree.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish Regional firefighters respond to nearly 90 calls on the Fourth

While crews stayed busy on Independence Day, it was far more peaceful than other years.

Vehicles travel along Mukilteo Speedway on Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mukilteo approves 84-acre annexation east of Speedway

The annexation of unincorporated land is expected to bring new revenue to the city as it faces budget challenges.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.