State to review prosecutor's decision not to charge Pasco police who killed rock-throwing man
PASCO, Wash. (AP) — A prosecutor says three Pasco police officers who fatally shot a rock-throwing Mexican immigrant in February will not face criminal charges.
The death of 35-year-old Antonio Zambrano-Montes was captured on cellphone video and sparked months of protests in Pasco, an agricultural center in eastern Washington.
Witnesses said Zambrano-Montes fought with an officer, threw rocks and told officers to shoot him before they opened fire.
At a news conference repeatedly interrupted by protesters Wednesday, Franklin County prosecutor Shawn Sant said the evidence showed the officers used legal force as they tried to arrest a man who had assaulted them.
Sant said he could not meet the high bar for criminal prosecution, which would require a showing that the officers acted with malice.
George Trejo Jr., a lawyer for Zambrano-Montes' wife and children, said in an email that he was disappointed.
Later Wednesday, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said Gov. Jay Inslee had asked him to review the prosecutor's charging decision.
"We will begin our review immediately," Ferguson said. "That being said, it is too soon to anticipate who long this review might take. I am committed to conducting a full and fair review of this matter."
Multiple videos of the shooting have popped up online. Q13 FOX News has not linked to the video because it is extremely graphic. But here is a link to the video if you wish to view it.