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Benton County deputy cleared in July shooting


The Benton County deputy involved in the July shooting of a man accused of domestic violence was been cleared of any wrong doing.
The Benton County deputy involved in the July shooting of a man accused of domestic violence was been cleared of any wrong doing.
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BENTON COUNTY, Wash. -- The Benton County deputy involved in the July shooting of a man accused of domestic violence has been cleared of any wrong doing.

The Benton County Prosecutors Office released a report Wednesday saying Deputy Scott Surplus was justified in shooting Robert Bevel, 56, in July due to a perceived threat of serious injury or death to himself or other officers on the scene.

Bevel was involved in a domestic violence call at a Kennewick home on July 25 according to police.

Kennewick police officers responded to the 1300 block of W. 26th Avenue and found Bevel chasing his family down the road.

Officers found reason to believe that Bevel had assaulted members of his family according to the report sent out by the prosecutor's office Wednesday. Bevel retreated to a trailer at the back of the residence, and said he would shoot anyone who attempted to come near the trailer, say police.

Bevel's family advised officers on the scene in July that he was under the influence of alcohol, prescription medication, marijuana and was possibly suicidal. Police were also informed by the man's family that he had a HiPoint .45 caliber firearm with him in the trailer.

After several attempts and verbal commands to get Bevel to comply with an arrest, police said Bevel refused and even told 911 dispatchers that he may "pull the trigger" when he walks out of his trailer.

According to the Benton County Prosecutor's Office the Special Investigation Unit's probe into the shooting found that officers on the scene of the alleged domestic violence did everything they could to get Bevel to comply with their demands.

When Bevel did exit the trailer the officers noticed he had a gun in his hands, and Deputy Surplus advised him to drop the gun. Bevel did not, pointed the gun at several officers, as if he was prepared to shoot.

Benton County Sheriff's Department Commander Jon Law fired a 37mm, less-lethal, rubber type of ammunition at Bevel's stomach. Deputy Surplus fired one round from his .308 sniper rifle in the shoulder area.

Bevel was treated for his gunshot wounds, and according to investigators said he did not remember the events of the standoff.

View the entire report from the SIU investigation into the shooting here.

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