Antonio Zambrano-Montes, 35, was shot by three patrolmen during a
confrontation on Feb. 10 caught on video at a busy intersection in
the small city, 200 miles (320 km) southeast of Seattle.
His death triggered protests by several hundred people in Pasco,
which has a large Hispanic community, and his family and civil
rights groups called for a federal probe into his killing.
They have said Zambrano-Montes spoke little English and had wrestled
with drug abuse and other personal issues.
"It is unfortunate the PPD has endorsed a policy that permits their
officers to gun down unarmed individuals instead of subduing them
with non lethal force," George Trejo, an attorney representing the
man's family, said in a statement. "Unfortunately given the
atmosphere within the police force, it isn't surprising."
Mexico's government has condemned the fatal shooting as a
disproportionate use of lethal force.
It was among a series of fatal incidents across the United States
that have put law enforcement agencies under scrutiny over their use
of force, particularly against people of color.
In the video filmed by a motorist that was widely watched online,
the orchard worker from Mexico's Michoacan state is seen running
from the officers before they open fire multiple times.
Police said two stun guns failed to subdue Zambrano-Montes, who died
after being hit by 17 shots.
The city's statement said Pasco Police Chief Robert Metzger decided
the responding officers had acted appropriately after he reviewed
internal investigative reports and consulted an outside expert. It
added he would return Officers Adam Wright and Adrian Alaniz to
duty, effective immediately.
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The third officer involved in the incident, Ryan Flanagan, has left
the police department, the statement said.
"Their actions were consistent with Department policies and
procedures," Metzger said in the statement.
Police have said Alaniz told investigators that Zambrano-Montes,
after being ordered repeatedly to drop the rocks he was throwing at
the officers, yelled at them in Spanish: "No, kill me ... kill me."
The family has said audio from the incident does not support that
account, and has argued that none of the officers were in grave
danger.
Friends said Zambrano-Montes had spent time in a homeless shelter
before his death.
(Reporting by Eric M. Johnson; Writing by Daniel Wallis; Editing by
Sandra Maler and Peter Cooney)
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