Prosecutor: Police shooting that killed armed occupier of Oregon wildlife refuge was justified

Author: Associated Press
Published: Updated:
KATU / MGN

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Authorities said police were justified in killing an armed Arizona rancher who helped lead a standoff at an Oregon national wildlife refuge earlier this year.

A county prosecutor on Tuesday released the results of an investigation into the death of Robert “LaVoy” Finicum. Oregon State Police opened fire during a traffic stop Jan. 26 that also led to the arrests of the occupation’s leaders.

The FBI previously released video of the shooting to counter claims Finicum did nothing to provoke it.

In the aerial footage, Finicum is pulled over in his truck but then takes off and plows into a snowbank. He gets out and has his hands up at first, then appears to reach toward his jacket pocket at least twice. Officers shoot him, and he falls.

The FBI said it found a loaded handgun in the pocket.

An Oregon sheriff said FBI agents involved in the Jan. 26 traffic stop that led to the killing of an armed Arizona rancher are under investigation for not disclosing they fired shots during the confrontation.

Deschutes County Sheriff L. Shane Nelson said neither of those shots struck Robert “LaVoy” Finicum.

Authorities said Finicum was instead hit and killed by rounds fired by Oregon State Police officers. Malheur County District Attorney Dan Norris said all six shots fired by Oregon State Police were justified.

Still, Nelson said it was of concern that FBI agents on the scene didn’t disclose they had also fired shots.

The U.S. Justice Department said in a statement it is investigating the FBI agents’ actions during the confrontation with Finicum.

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