By Aaron Applegate
The Virginian-Pilot
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The police officer who shot and killed a man reaching for a gun in February was justified in using deadly force, according to a review by the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Jonathan Garrett of Chesapeake was killed by Officer Christian K. Wright during a struggle with the officer behind a convenience store, the review said. Wright fired his gun six times, hitting Garrett twice.
The incident began when Wright saw Garrett around 11:15 p.m. Feb. 26 behind the 7-Eleven near the intersection of Indian River Road and MacDonald Road.
When Wright asked Garrett what he was doing , Garrett said he’d just gotten off a bus, according to the review. Wright said he didn’t know of a bus stop in the area and asked Garrett for identification.
After the officer shined his flashlight and saw a part of a handgun in Garrett’s rear pants pocket , Wright pulled his gun, ordered Garrett to the ground and called for backup, according to the review.
When Wright tried to handcuff Garrett, Garrett tried to rise up, punched the officer in the head and started to reach for his gun , according to the review. Wright then shot Garrett, who ran off before collapsing in a parking lot. Police recovered a .380 Cobra handgun thought to have been Garrett’s.
Later, police said Garrett had just robbed a Chanello’s Pizza restaurant. Wright did not know of the robbery when he encountered Garrett , according to the review. Money recovered from Garrett’s body was approximately the same amount taken from the store, according to the review.
“Wright was within his legal authority and justified in the use of deadly force in the situation as it presented itself,” the review concluded.
Copyright 2008 The Virginian-Pilot