Killing by Police Was Justified, D.A. Says
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SAN DIEGO — Police were justified in using deadly force against an ex-convict who led authorities on a three-hour freeway chase through four counties, San Diego County Dist. Atty. Paul Pfingst said Friday.
The Nov. 26 incident, broadcast live to much of Southern California by TV news helicopters, ended with Michael Thayer, 49, being struck by 17 bullets fired by San Diego police and California Highway Patrol officers. Thayer’s car became disabled after running over a spike strip on Interstate 805.
Thayer pointed what proved to be a starter pistol at the officers. Pfingst noted that inside Thayer’s car was a message indicating he planned to commit “suicide by cop” rather than be returned to prison for a parole violation.
The chase began at 6:45 a.m. in Rancho Cucamonga when a San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy noted that Thayer’s car had expired tags. Thayer, who had served six prison sentences, had an outstanding warrant for drunk driving, which would have meant a return to prison.
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