louis martin
cns news &
features
A man who was shot and killed by
Fort Bragg police early Saturday morning after he rammed a patrol
car was identified as 22-year-old David William King, a transient
with past ties to the city of Fort Bragg.
King was spotted in a stolen
truck by officer Michael Lamb at 1:30 AM Saturday. When Lamb
tried to stop the vehicle, King reportedly rammed the patrol car
and sped off. A cross-town chase ensued and the truck was stopped
again. When King rammed the patrol car a second time, he was shot
once in the head by Lamb, according to a Sheriff's report.
An investigation into the
incident is being conducted by the Mendocino County Sheriff's
Office. Officer Lamb has been placed on paid leave until the
investigation is complete. Mendocino County District Attorney
Susan Massini said it will be a couple of weeks before the
investigation is complete and a report is filed with her office.
It is the first time in recent
memory that a Fort Bragg police officer has used deadly force.
According to Fort Bragg Police
Chief Thomas Bickell, King had no record with the Fort Bragg
Police Department but was known to other law enforcement
agencies. An autopsy is being performed. It is not yet known
whether alcohol or drugs were involved.
Following the incident an
acquaintance of King called the Fort Bragg Police Department and,
according to Bickell, said that King would have killed Lamb if
given the chance. The name has been turned over to the Sheriff's
office for a formal statement.
(12/19/95)
Comments?
editor@coastnews.com
Return to News Page?
Return to Main Page?