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TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) — An Oklahoma prosecutor says three Tahlequah police officers involved in the shooting death of a hammer-wielding man in August were justified in using deadly force.
Cherokee County First Assistant District Attorney Jack Thorp says in a letter obtained by the Tahlequah Daily Press on Wednesday that Lt. Brandon Vick and Officers Josh Girdner and Chase Reed acted "in accordance" with state law when they shot 49-year-old Dominic Rollice.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has said the officers were investigating a disturbance when they found Rollice and that he picked up a hammer. Police have released a video in which officers repeatedly tell Rollice to drop the hammer and each time he says no.
Rollice then moved his arm backward with the hammer in his hand and police opened fire.
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Information from: Tahlequah Daily Press, http://www.tahlequahdaailypress.com
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