Wife of JBLM soldier shot and killed by police questions if lethal force was justified

University Place, WA — The wife of a former JBLM soldier shot and killed by University Place police said she wants an inquest held to determine if the use of lethal force was justified.
 
"All I want is answers, and the truth," said Katie McLeod.
 
Brian McLeod, 25, died March 22^nd when he was shot in the doorway of his University Place apartment.  Pierce county sheriff's department spokesman Detective Ed Troyer said officers were called to the apartment because of an extremely violent fight between McLeod and another man.  When they arrived that man ran from the apartment and was tackled, said Troyer. Troyer said McLeod came to the door seconds later holding a 12 gauge pump shotgun with a pistol grip.
 
Troyer said McLeod ignored repeated warnings to drop the weapon. "He came out with the shotgun, raised it and pointed it," said Troyer, "and our officers fired."
 
The University Place police department is run by the Pierce County Sheriff's Department in a contract with the city.
 
Katie McLeod requested an inquest into the shooting but Pierce county executive Pat McCarthy denied the request saying the facts of the case did not warrant a lengthy public proceeding.
 
The sheriff's department is conducting an investigation that will be reviewed by the Pierce County prosecuting attorney's office. That is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.
 
McLeod has retained an attorney to help her push for the inquest despite the denial.  "Witnesses and evidence show things differently that what they are saying and that is why I want this to be looked at again," said McLeod.

KIRO