(This is a local story that replaces a story posted earlier today from another news source.)
Three Kent Police officers were found to have reacted to an imminent threat, in the wake of a July 7 shooting of a domestic-violence suspect.
An inquest jury this week determined that officers Tom Riener, Mike Schanbacher and Trent Percy had reason to believe that Kent resident Mayceo Devangari was putting them in harm’s way, when Devangari reached into his pants pocket after a lengthy standoff with officers, and after telling them he had a gun.
The officers opened fire, killing Devangari, 42. The object Devangari was reaching for was later determined to be a flashlight.
Inquest juries are typically convened when a police officer uses deadly force, and they work by seeking answers to a series of questions, as opposed to determining a verdict. They are one of the last steps in the investigative process that goes into a shooting.
The inquest jury’s unanimous decision, along with the paperwork of the investigation, now go to the King County Prosecutor for a final determination, according to Kent Police Sgt. Pat Lowery.
Lowery, speaking Friday, expressed the general reaction of his department to the inquest finding.
“It was very good news,” he said. “It’s a really nice way to close a chapter on a pretty stressful event.”
All three officers are seasoned veterans on the force: Lowery noted Riener has been with Kent for close to 20 years, Schanbacher has been there for nearly 13, and Percy more than five years.
“They’re all tenured, experienced officers,” Lowery said. “All of them have a good reputation, not just as police officers, but as decision-makers.”
The three officers were part of a manhunt in Kent July 7 after Devangari reportedly attacked a woman in Kent, then fled. Officers located him in the 23800 block of 98th Avenue South, where he climbed up a water tower. He then threatened to jump, and also told police negotiators that he had a gun.
After about two hours of negotiations with police, Devangari climbed down, reportedly to give himself up.
But he seemingly changed his mind after reaching the ground, and threatened the approaching officers.
When he reached into his pants pocket, officers opened fire.
The three officers will remain on administrative leave until the investigation is finished and a final decision is made by the King County Prosecutor.
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