KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) - Four police officers were justified in shooting a parole absconder 13 times last year, killing him, a prosecutor said Friday.
Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting released his decision in the April 4 death of Thomas Verile Jr., saying the officers had reason to believe that Verile was a threat to their lives, WOOD-TV reported.
Verile refused to obey commands to show his hands and shouted at officers that he had a gun and would kill them, Getting said. When Verile made a sudden move forward, his hands still covered, the four officers opened fire on him at a home outside Kalamazoo. Verile was found to be unarmed.
When members of a fugitive apprehension team tried to arrest Verile two days earlier, he nearly hit officers with his car and then fled, state police have said. The officers were with the Michigan State Police, Battle Creek Police, the Michigan Department of Corrections and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Police said Verile was wanted for parole violations and also had outstanding warrants against him.
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