WSU student involved in officer shooting not to face charges

The Whitman County Prosecutor's Office decided not to charge 20-year-old WSU student John Bazan after an incident where he appeared to try to provoke the police into killing him. Bazan was initially booked on suspicion of assault, resisting arrest, intimidation of a public servant, and obstruction following an encounter with WSU Police at Global Scholars Hall. The police responded to a call reporting a man with a knife, which turned out to be Bazan describing himself as the one with the weapon. Bazan did not comply with officers' orders and made movements that led an officer to fire a shot that missed. The prosecutor emphasized Bazan's severe mental health issues and the need for treatment rather than criminal charges for community safety. Bazan has been released from jail and is receiving care at an inpatient mental health facility. The officer involved in the incident is on administrative leave, and it was noted that he was unaware that Bazan did not have a weapon when he fired.

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