No criminal charges for officer who shot stalking suspect

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. 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. 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 filed 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.