Prosecutor rules police shooting justified
BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) — The Whatcom County prosecutor says a Bellingham police officer was justified in shooting at a murder suspect in February who later took his own life.
Prosecutor Dave McEachran said in a report last week that Daniel Salas had shot his ex-girlfriend and was running away when he was confronted by Officer Chad Cristelli. When Salas pulled a handgun from his pocket and refused orders to drop it Cristelli fired three shots. None hit Salas. Moments later he shot himself in the head.
The Bellingham Herald reports Officer Cristelli returned to work in late February.