Investigation: Police shooting appears justifiable

The two Des Moines police officers who shot and killed an armed 40 year-old man on Saturday appear to have used justifiable force, according to the Federal Way Police Department, which is investigating the shooting.

"All indications are that the officers acted appropriately and according to their training and state law," said Federal Way Police Commander Stan McCall.

The two officers, whose names have not been released, shot a 40-year-old man after responding to a 911 call for domestic violence at around 2:40 p.m. on Saturday. The man was sought by police for allegedly pointing a handgun at his ex-girlfriend, a 47-year-old woman who had a no-contact order against the man, according to McCall.

The man ran from the woman's apartment but was seen by Des Moines police in a parking lot near South 272 Street and Pacific Highway South. The officers fired when the man showed a handgun after being confronted, McCall said.

The Federal Way Police Department, which was investigating at the request of Des Moines police, found that several shots were fired, but investigators are unsure if the shooting victim fired his gun.

The shooting victim — who had a criminal history, according to McCall — is expected to be identified today. The officers will be identified after the shooting investigation is finished.

Jonathan Martin: 206-464-2605 or jmartin@seattletimes.com