Current:Home > NewsA Kansas officer who shot and killed a man armed with a BB gun won’t face charges-DB Wealth Institute B2 Reviews & Ratings
A Kansas officer who shot and killed a man armed with a BB gun won’t face charges
lotradecoin instructions View Date:2024-12-26 04:03:44
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita-area police officer will not be charged with a crime for shooting a man walking toward him and refusing to drop a weapon that was later found to be a replica BB gun, the local prosecutor announced Monday.
Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett said that under Kansas law, the Goddard police officer, whose name has not been released, is immune from prosecution over the death in February of 39-year-old Michael James Trask, of Lake Afton.
Bennett issued a 16-page report noting that state law protects an officer from being prosecuted for using deadly force when the officer “reasonably believes” it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to the officer or another person. The shooting occurred about 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of Goddard.
Bennett’s report said the officer tried to stop Trask for a traffic violation when a short pursuit began. After the vehicle eventually stopped and Trask left his vehicle with what appeared to be a gun, the officer repeatedly told him to drop the weapon, the report said.
Trask refused and continued walking toward the officer in what the report called a “deliberate” manner. The officer then shot at him eight times, hitting him twice.
A woman who said she was Trask’s wife later called dispatchers and said he was suicidal and armed with a loaded gun, according to the report.
“When the officer made the decision to pull the trigger, he was doing so in self-defense,” Bennett told reporters during a Zoom briefing.
Bennett said his office received the case about a month ago and authorities had to wait on the results of Trask’s autopsy, which was done in July.
veryGood! (27)
Related
- New York county signs controversial mask ban meant to hide people's identities in public
- Syrian rebel leader says he will dissolve toppled regime forces, close prisons
- New Jersey, home to many oil and gas producers, eyes fees to fight climate change
- Shanghai bear cub Junjun becomes breakout star
- A slain teacher loved attending summer camp. His mom is working to give kids the same opportunity
- Fewer U.S. grandparents are taking care of grandchildren, according to new data
- Taylor Swift makes history as most decorated artist at Billboard Music Awards
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Get 70% Off Kate Spade, 70% Off Coach, 40% Off Banana Republic, 40% Off Disney & Today's Top Deals
- Luigi Mangione Case: Why McDonald's Employee Who Reported Him Might Not Get $60,000 Reward
Ranking
- Rob Schneider Responds to Daughter Elle King Calling Out His Parenting
- Luigi Mangione's Lawyer Speaks Out in UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Case
- She grew up in an Arizona church community. Now, she claims it was actually a religious cult.
- Mystery drones are swarming New Jersey skies, but can you shoot them down?
- Traveling? Here Are the Best Life-Saving Travel Accessories You Need To Pack, Starting at Just $7
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Secretary of State Blinken is returning to the Mideast in his latest diplomatic foray
- I loved to hate pop music, until Chappell Roan dragged me back
Recommendation
-
Traveling? Here Are the Best Life-Saving Travel Accessories You Need To Pack, Starting at Just $7
-
SCDF aids police in gaining entry to cluttered Bedok flat, discovers 73
-
Wisconsin kayaker who faked his death and fled to Eastern Europe is in custody, online records show
-
Secretly recorded videos are backbone of corruption trial for longest
-
Justice Department defends Boeing plea deal against criticism by 737 Max crash victims’ families
-
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Follow Your Dreams
-
Morgan Wallen sentenced after pleading guilty in Nashville chair
-
Trump taps immigration hard