Officer-involved shooting in August ruled justified

An officer-involved shooting on Aug. 3 was ruled as justified, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

The shooting happened after the Joshua A. Martin crashed his car into trees at 37818 N. Sherman Road, near Deer Park. Martin got out of the car and put a gun to his head, passersby told authorities.

Deputy Daniel Middlebos was the first to respond to the scene, according to a sheriff’s office news release.

Middlebos approached Martin and told him to show his hands and turn around. Deputies say Martin reached toward his right hip waistband area, drew a gun and pointed it at Middlebos.

Middlebos yelled, “Don’t do it” several times before shooting Martin three times in the chest, according to the release.

Martin died at the scene, and a fully loaded 9mm Taurus was found on the pavement near Martin, according to the release. An investigation was undertaken by Spokane Investigative Regional Response Team, and the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office subsequently found the shooting justified.