OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Thurston County Prosecutor announced that charges will not be filed against a police officer who shot two men in Olympia on May 21.
Quick Facts:
- Officer who shot two stepbrothers in Olympia will not face criminal charges
- Stepbrothers, 21 and 24, shot by Olympia officer May 21
- Officer was called to report of theft and assault at Safeway says he feared for his life
- Stepbrothers' lawyer says they were trying to get away from officer
- Shootings investigated by team of detectives
The shootings, which sparked protests that turned violent, were investigated by a team of detectives from several agencies since May. The findings were then handed over to the prosecutor's office.
Investigators say Chaplin and Thompson were offered a chance to make statements, but they did not participate.
Tunheim said it was “reasonable” for Officer Donald to shoot Andre Thompson, because Thompson was advancing on him.
Officer Ryan Donald shot stepbrothers Andre Thompson and Bryson Chaplin on Cooper Point Road while responding to a call of beer stolen and an employee assaulted at a nearby Safeway supermarket on May 21.
Tunheim said on Wednesday the shooting did not occur because of stealing beer, but because of the threat of assault when the officer approached the men.
A report obtained by KIRO 7 said Donald feared for his life.
“Basically he was holding me there so his friend could assault me with the skateboard,” Donald said in the report. Donald told investigators that's when he fired the first shots at Chaplin who ran away. He told investigators the two came back seconds later and that Thompson came at him.
“He was coming toward me again, I had no doubt in my mind that he was gonna try and hit me in the head with the skateboard.” Donald said he fired and 24-year-old Thompson went down.
Previous Coverage:
- Surveillance images show stepbrothers before Olympia police shooting
- KIRO 7 obtains report on officer-involved shooting in Olympia
- Olympia mayor, chief hear hard opinions about officer-involved shooting
- Attorney claims stepbrothers shot by officer never attacked with skateboards
- Protests in Olympia end after clash with police
KIRO