Davenport police took lethal action that has been deemed reasonable and justified when two officers shot and killed a man last month.
On November 19 at 5:13 a.m., Officers Justin King and Brenda Waline responded to a burglary call in the 400 block of East 12th Street in Davenport.
Scott County Attorney Mike Walton says the officers talked with two witnesses and 26-year-old Matthew Tobin for 12 minutes. Then Tobin tried to run out a back door and started hitting Waline who blocked his path.
Tobin fired his gun three times during a two-minute struggle.
After a bullet hit King in the ear, he told Waline he was going to pass out. She fired twice, hitting Tobin in the shoulder and torso. But Tobin continued to struggle. Walton says King told Waline to, "Hit him again." And that third shot to Tobin's chest ended the fight.
Walton says the police officers had no other choice but to use deadly force, and the Scott County Sheriff's investigation reveals Waline's actions were reasonable, justified, and heroic.
Both Davenport police officers are still on injury leave and will eventually return to work. Waline has 19 years experience in law enforcement, and King has five.
But the investigation isn't over yet. Scott County detectives are still waiting for toxicology tests and other results.
