San Bernardino County Prosecutors Defend Deadly Force In Dorner Shootout

SAN BERNARDINO (CBSLA.com/AP) — Dozens of law enforcement officers in San Bernardino County were justified in using deadly force in a shootout that killed former LAPD officer Christopher Dorner last year, prosecutors said Tuesday.

The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office released its review of the fatal officer-involved incident involving Dorner, 33, of La Palma, on February 12, 2013. Dorner went on a 10-day rampage after he was fired by the LAPD, the Associated Press reported.

According to the report, 37 officers were legally justified in their response to what prosecutors say was an immediate threat of death and serious injury to themselves and the public.

The 59-page evaluation (PDF) noted that Dorner died by his own hand after refusing to surrender.

"It should also be pointed out that Dorner was not killed by law enforcement or by the fire in the cabin," the report stated. "He chose to kill himself rather than surrender to law enforcement and face trial for his
crimes."

RELATED: LAPD Husband, Wife Targeted By Dorner Break Silence About Manhunt

Dorner is believed to have killed four people, including a San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy who was shot during the standoff. Another deputy was wounded.

Last week, the Los Angeles Police Commission determined that eight officers violated department policy on the use of deadly force when they opened fire on a pickup truck in Torrance during last year's manhunt.

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