Source: Seattle Times

EVERETT — A Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy who killed a bank robber in front of patrons of a South Everett McDonald’s has been cleared of wrongdoing.

Deputy Joshua Scott has been back at work since shortly after shooting and killing John Steinbaugh on Sept. 24.

Steinbaugh, 45, robbed a Washington Mutual bank branch in a Fred Meyer store, at 12906 Bothell-Everett Highway, at gunpoint. He then fled to a McDonald’s parking lot, at 530 128th Street Southwest, according to authorities.

When a police dog was sent to apprehend Steinbaugh, the Everett man was seen reaching for something around his waist, inside his coat. Scott then fired two rounds from his rifle, Snohomish County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Mark Roe said this week.

On a videotape taken from a sheriff’s office squad car, Scott was commanding Steinbaugh to raise his hands.

Investigators recovered $10,000 in cash stolen from the bank. A handgun found on the floorboard of Steinbaugh’s car turned out to be a fake, said Roe.

Everett police detectives investigated the officer-involved shooting, and the county prosecutor’s office concluded the deputy’s actions were appropriate.


Added October 14, 2010 (Tip provided by Dave)