PHOENIX – A Phoenix police officer who shot an unarmed drug suspect will not face criminal charges.
Maricopa County Attorney's Office spokesman Jerry Cobb said Wednesday that prosecutors have determined last year's shooting of 34-year-old Rumain Brisbon was justified.
Police say Officer Mark Rine was investigating a tip Dec. 2 that Brisbon was selling drugs inside an SUV in the apartment complex where he lived.
Brisbon failed to heed the officer's commands and ran to an apartment where their struggle turned deadly.
According to police documents released Wednesday, Rine placed his hand over Brisbon's left hand and felt what he "described as the grip of a pistol."
Rine says he then fired his weapon.
The shooting of Brisbon, who is black, occurred on the heels of other high-profile officer-involved shootings nationwide.
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