N. Idaho’s Police Use of Deadly Force Justified

SANDPOINT, Idaho (AP) — Authorities have deemed as justified a deadly officer-involved shooting outside a Sandpoint hospital in northern Idaho.

The Sandpoint Police Department in a statement Thursday released the conclusions of Kootenai County Prosecutor Barry McHugh.

The Bonner County Daily Bee reports (http://bit.ly/1wBXdhf) that the police agency cited McHugh's remarks in a letter McHugh sent to the Bonner County Sheriff's Office, which investigated the July 8 shooting.

Authorities say officers Skylar Ziegler, Michael Valenzuela and Garrett Johnson were involved in the shooting near Bonner General Hospital that killed 35-year-old Jeanetta Marie Riley.

The officers say Riley approached them and refused their commands to drop a knife. Two officers opened fire.

McHugh's determination clears the officers of potential criminal charges.

The officers returned to work after authorities determined they followed department policy.