Spokane Police officer won’t face criminal charges in shooting
Spokane police officer Michael Roberge will not face criminal charges for shooting a domestic violence suspect last November, the Spokane County prosecutor’s office said Monday.
Joseph Hensz, 20, was shot and injured Nov. 8, 2014, following a car chase in north Spokane.
Police spotted Hensz driving west on Knox Avenue toward Monroe Street at more than 100 miles per hour just before 8:30 p.m. after his ex-girlfriend’s family had called 911 several times that day to report that Hensz was stalking and harassing them, according to court documents.
Roberge and his partner were patrolling together and used a maneuver to bump the back end of Hensz’s car to stop it. Roberge then got out of the car and ordered Hensz to turn off the car and get out. Hensz instead revved his engine, put the car in gear and turned towards Roberge, according to court documents.
Roberge fired four rounds towards Hensz after Hensz began driving towards him, according to the prosecutor’s news release. Hensz was hit once and transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center.
The prosecutor’s office said Roberge was justified in using deadly force because he feared for his safety and public safety.
State to discuss St. Maries bridge replacements
Replacement of the St. Joe River Bridge and the St. Maries Railroad Bridge will be the topic of a public hearing Thursday in St. Maries. The public is invited to comment on the projects between 5 and 7:30 p.m. at St. Maries City Hall, 602 College Ave.
The bridges, to be replaced over the next two years, are on state Highway 3 (Third Street) on the north end of St. Maries. Preliminary engineering is underway.
Staff from the Idaho Transportation Department will discuss how the work will be coordinated with adjacent projects. Replacing the bridges will create traffic delays on Highways 3 and 5.
Written testimony will be accepted at the meeting and through Nov. 1. For information contact Greg Brands, (208) 772-1274 or Gregory.Brands@itd.idaho.gov.