Justified, July 4

Coos Co. District Attorney R. Paul Frasier has determined that the “use of deadly force” by three law enforcement officers after they were confronted with an individual brandishing a rifle at them, was “justified.”  Eric Sweet was killed by eight bullets that struck him from three officers who responded to his residence on the 400 block of Johnson Ave. in Coos Bay on June 23rd.  Frasier explained that an erratic Sweet first contacted police officers under Coos Bay City Hall about 6:19 a.m. with a concern about his vehicle.  He left and officers were later informed that he had a suspended license.  Sweet was eventually located, but disobeyed attempts to stop him and sped away.  He reported accelerated to 90 mph while attempting to elude officers who broke off the chase due to safety concerns.   According to Frasier, Sweet returned to his residence and armed himself with “four rifles and ammunition.”  During a standoff outside his residence, Sweet “started to bring the rifle to bear” on an officer, and he was shot.  The shooting call to dispatch came in at 6:44 a.m.