Deputy’s shooting of armed man in June ruled justified by prosecutor

Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy Jerad Kiehn will not face criminal charges for shooting a Spokane Valley man wielding a knife in June, prosecutors announced Thursday. Kiehn fired twice on Roy Jacobs, 48, after he and two other deputies responded to a call of a domestic dispute in the early morning hours of June 1. After reviewing an investigation led by the Spokane Police Department, Spokane County Prosecutors ruled the shooting justified. Jacobs was struck in the stomach and later died of his injuries. Jacobs’ family has disputed the authorities’ account of what occurred that morning in the 4100 block of North McDonald Road. They have said the knife, which had a 12-inch blade according to authorities, was a collectible and the intoxicated Jacobs was not a threat at the time he was shot. According to police, Jacobs had called 911 requesting he be arrested on an outstanding warrant. Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich has defended Kiehn’s actions, saying he acted bravely when confronted by a credible threat.