Authorities in southwest Washington said police shot and killed a man Wednesday morning after he assaulted an officer.
The shooting took place at a gas station in Kelso, Washington, about 50 miles north of Portland. Police said they were responding to reports of a shoplifter.
Kelso Police Officer John Johnston arrived on the scene and was attempting to view video footage of the shoplifting incident when the suspect returned to the store with a large pole, described as a walking stick, and began assaulting people, including Johnston.
Johnston shot and killed the suspect, a 27-year-old African-American male police said was a transient. Police wouldn't say how many shots Johnston fired.
"The officer was put on administrative leave. He did go to the hospital, does have injuries. A head injury, leg and arm injury," said Cowlitz County Sheriff Mark Nelson, whose agency is conducting an investigation into the incident.
Nelson said he's not concerned the shooting will lead to protests, as has been the case recently in other cities when police have shot people of color.
"We don't have a terribly diverse community, so in my view … we don't look at things racially," he said. "It's based on circumstances and situations."
Prosecutors will determine whether Johnston's use of force was justified.
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