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DA finds deadly officer-involved shooting justified

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by Jessica Reber

KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

3:26 PM CST, January 31, 2013

(WICHITA, Kan.)

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A report filed by the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office finds no charges will be filed after two Wichita Police officers shot and killed a knife-wielding woman last summer.

Officers were called to a domestic disturbance near Murdock and Ash July 10, 2012. A man told officers that his wife, Karen Jackson, was at his home in the 700 block of N. Spruce, but he had a protection from abuse order against her.

The officers went to the home and found Jackson at the door carrying a can of beer, a propane lighter and a bottle of liquor. The woman was also holding a butcher knife.

The officers asked Jackson to drop the knife repeatedly, but they said the woman began to stab herself with the weapon. Jackson then held the knife out in front of her, swinging the weapon at the officers. She yelled at the officers, telling them to "shoot her."

Both officers fired shots at Jackson. She later died from multiple gunshot wounds at Wesley Medical Center.

An autopsy found Jackson was shot in the arm, wrist, thigh and neck. She also suffered from self-inflicted stab wounds to her neck, chest and thigh. Toxicology tests found her blood alcohol level to be more than three times the legal limit.

The two officers were placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.

Marc Bennett, District Attorney, found the use of their deadly force was lawful and justified. The report found the officers believed Jackson posed an imminent threat. The officers have been cleared of any criminal conduct.

Chief Norman Williams responded to the report saying the department will now review the shooting from an administrative side.

“We want to follow the WPD policies and make certain our members are professional and following procedures," Williams said.

DA clears officers in deadly shooting