FBI Focus of Probe into Oregon Shooting Death

Five FBI agents are being investigated for their role in the traffic stop that ended with the shooting death of LaVoy Finicum, one of the leaders of the armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in January.

At a press conference in Bend, Malheur County District Attorney Dan Norris revealed that eight shots had been fired at Finicum, striking him three times.

Six of the shots were traced to Oregon State Troopers. As the probe unfolded, investigators were finally able to attribute them to a member of the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team.

"The question of who fired these shots has not been resolved," FBI Special-Agent-in-Charge of the FBI's Portland office, Greg Bretzing said at a press conference.

Neither Bretzing or Norris would speculate why the FBI agent did not let investigators know he had fired the shots.

Nor did they disclose what the other four agents did after the shooting that necessitated an investigation.

Neither of the agent's shots hit anyone. One did go through the roof of the truck that Finicum, was driving and one missed the truck.

It was only after investigators discovered the bullet hole in the roof and did forensic testing that they determined it had not come from one of the state troopers.

Using the aerial video shot by the FBI that day and combining it with computer analysis and video shot by Shawna Cox, who has since been indicted, from within the truck, investigators were able to conclude the shot had to have been fired by an agent from the Hostage Rescue Team.

The FBI agents were interviewed on January 26 and again on February 5th and 6th.

"Of particular concern to all of us is that the FBI HRT (Hostage and Rescue Team) operators did not disclose their shots to our investigators." Deschutes County Sheriff Shane Nelson said. "Nor did they discuss specific actions they took after the shooting, which are the subject of an ongoing investigation."

Bretzing, U.S. Attorney Billy Williams, and top FBI officials were briefed on what was found by investigators.

"We reserve the right, as Oregonians, to hold wrongdoers accountable for their actions," Harney County District Attorney Tim Coleman said.

Meanwhile, District Attorney Norris announced that the Oregon State Trooper who fired the shots that killed Finicum was justified in taking the action that he did.

Finicum was killed January 26 as the FBI and OSP stopped a convoy headed from the refuge to a community meeting in nearby Grant County.

A video released by the FBI after indecent appears to show Finicum reaching for a weapon.

A loaded 9mm handgun was recovered from his body.

Investigators also seized three rifles and hundreds of rounds of ammunition from the people in the convoy with Finicum.

Of the eight people in the convoy, investigators determined that five had landed handguns.

As part of the investigation, the DA's Office reviewed video shot from within one of the cars by Shawna Cox, who is charged in the incident.. On the video, people can be heard discussing the possibility of trying to outrun law enforcement.

The video also shows that troopers did everything by the book such as identifying themselves.

On the video, Finicum can be heard screaming at the troopers, telling them that they are on the way to meet with the sheriff of Grant County, Glenn Palmer.

Palmer is now the subject of an investigation for his actions during the standoff.

Norris, was asked to oversee the investigation to guarantee that it would be independent.

Finicum's family as well as some of the people in the convoy who have since been indicted, have said that Tinicum's death was unjustified.

On Saturday, there were protests in 35 cities around the country saying Finicum's death was unjustified and the more than two dozen people indicted in connection with the takeover of the refuge should have the charges against them dropped.

This story will be updated.

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