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The deputies who shot and killed an armed Palm Springs man have been cleared of any wrong doing by the state attorney's office.
Investigators have finished going through the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office findings and said the shooting was justified, pointing to a "suicide by cop" scenario.
On Friday, just minutes before PBC Credit Union closed, the state attorney's office said Chris Thompson, 18, brought a .22 caliber rifle into the parking lot and shot it with the purpose of dying.
"I was in this position here right in front of the light bar so I could see him, trying to provide myself with some cover and that's when knew the fact that shots had been fired and my car had been hit," said Sgt. William Gale of PBSO during a video walk thru of the scene released by the state attorney's office.
Gale explained in the video what happened just hours after the shooting took place.
He told investigators when arriving on scene, Thompson shot at him.
Gale said he raised his shotgun and fired back fearing for his safety.
"He just stood there for what seems like a few seconds. So I wasn't sure if he was hit or hurt," said Gale.
Investigators said Thompson went to a nearby curb and sat down after being shot with his rifle still at his side.
Shortly after, two other deputies would arrive, backing up Gale as they moved in to arrest Thompson.
"I think Deputy Booth came up and stuck his foot on the guys arm to try and keep him from grabbing it, at which time the guy took his hand and rifle and pulled from underneath his foot. At which point I was in fear that he might start shooting us and other people in the parking lot and I discharged my firearm," said Keith Strokes, a PBSO deputy during a video walk thru released by the state attorney's office.
Medical records reveal Thompson was shot 11 times...
http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region...-deputy-involved-fatal-shooting#ixzz1vvaqjzji