Officer-involved shooting in Wellton ruled as justified

WELLTON, Ariz. (KYMA) - The Wellton Police Department (WPD) says an officer-involved shooting from earlier this year has been ruled as justified.

According to WPD, The Yuma County Attorney's Office reviewed bodycam footage the morning of January 16, where police responded to a report of aggravated assault on S. Dome Street, near Old U.S. Highway 80.

WPD says an officer found a victim who had severe injuries after being hit by a hatchet outside the home, prompting the officer to call for back-up to help assist the victim.

The suspect, a 37-year-old woman, then ran outside the home, charging at the officer with a hatchet, WPD says.

The officer told the suspect to drop the weapon, but she did not comply, leading the officer to shoot the suspect, and was later pronounced dead.

Witness statements and physical evidence were also reviewed, and was determined the shooting was justified.