Nevada Lawmen Justified in Shooting of Idaho Man

RENO, Nev. (AP) — Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks has determined Reno police officers were legally justified when they fatally shot a 42-year-old Idaho fugitive last summer during a gun battle outside a casino shortly after the suspect shot a shopper during an armed robbery at a drug store.

Lincoln County sheriff's deputies had issued a warrant for the arrest of Shawn Royal Bingaman of Nampa, Idaho on narcotics charges before two officers mortally wounded him in front of the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino south of downtown on Aug. 31.

The 62-year-old shopper Bingaman shot earlier at a nearby CVS pharmacy survived. Hicks said Thursday all available evidence indicates the officers acted "either in self-defense or in defense of their fellow officers" after Bingaman pointed a firearm at them.