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Deputy who shot, wounded domestic violence suspect cleared

Published  December 9, 2015 9:16pm PST
Associated Press

KENNEWICK, Wash. (AP)  -- A Benton County sheriff's deputy who shot and wounded a domestic violence suspect in July has been cleared of wrongdoing.

The Benton County Prosecutor's Office released a report Wednesday concluding that Deputy Scott Surplus was justified in shooting 56-year-old Robert Bevel ``due to a perceived threat of serious injury or death'' to him or other officers.

KEPR-TV reports (http://goo.gl/yvM0fU ) that officers who arrived at the Kennewick home had probable cause to arrest Bevel for assault. Bevel retreated to a trailer at the back of the property and told others that he would should anyone who tried to contact him.

The report says a special investigations unit found that officers did everything they could to get Bevel to comply.

When Bevel later left his trailer, the deputy shot him after he refused to drop his handgun. A sheriff's commander also shot Bevel with a less lethal rubber-type round.