4-15-2019
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The review of two officer-involved shootings from last December has completed, with Prosecutor Eric Richey clearing officers of any wrongdoing.
The first incident involved a crossbow-wielding subject in Arroyo Park who was shot in the hip and the second involved a wanted subject causing disturbances in the Birchwood Neighborhood, who fled from police but surrendered after the officer fired a shot toward him.
Outside agencies investigated both incidents and sent them to the Whatcom County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
Prosecutor Eric Richey found that the officers acted appropriately and in good faith in their use of deadly force, as stipulated on the recently passed Initiative 940, which placed stricter requirements on Washingon police.
I-940 removed language which made malice necessary to establish liability for officers using deadly force, and classifies shooting as deadly force whether or not the subject is hit by a bullet.