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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Civil Rights Investigation Closed

Compiled From Wire Services

The Justice Department closed its investigation Monday into a police shooting that sparked back-to-back riots, saying there was no evidence the black victim’s civil rights were violated.

TyRon Lewis, 18, was fatally shot by white officer James Knight during an Oct. 24, 1996, traffic stop. Knight said he fired when the car lunged forward.

The shooting sparked two nights of violence, one the night of the shooting and another when a grand jury cleared Knight of criminal wrongdoing. Rioters burned businesses and hurled rocks and bottles at police officers.