State authorities say a Rapid City Police Officer was justified one months ago when he shot a suspect.
Officer Jerry Moore fired his gun at a man on February 21, 2013 near a public library. Attorney General Marty Jackley says the man had a large knife and chased Moore’s police car. The policeman called for backup.
"Then when a backup officer arrived, the suspect came after the officer swinging the knife. The officer gave verbal warnings and then unsuccessfully deployed a taser," Jackley says. "When the suspect knocked the backup officer to the ground, the original officer had really no other option but to fire his duty weapon at the suspect."
Jackley says multiple camera recordings and more than one dozen witness reports contribute to the report that shows the officer acted appropriately.
The Attorney General says the report shows the suspect was on marijuana. Elijah White Magpie is charged with attempted murder and other crimes; he faces more than 50 years behind bars.
You can read the full report from the Department of Criminal Investigation at this link.