Spokane deputies cleared in fatal shooting of axe-wielding man

The Spokane County Prosecutor's Office has cleared four sheriff's deputies of any criminal charges related to the fatal shooting of Richard Rogissart, who was armed with an axe during the incident on January 30, 2024. Deputies had responded to reports of Rogissart threatening a neighbor with a baton and attempted to negotiate his surrender for over 45 minutes. When the deputies forcibly entered his home, Rogissart swung the axe at them, prompting the officers to open fire in self-defense. Prosecutor Larry Haskell determined their use of lethal force was justified, following an independent investigation by the Spokane Independent Investigative Response Team. The deputies were placed on administrative leave during the investigation, which concluded that all safety measures were taken before the shooting occurred. This decision aligns with a similar case in Raleigh, N.C., where officers were also not charged in a separate shooting incident deemed justified.