Shooting Of Charleena Lyles 'Reasonable, Proportional': Report

SEATTLE, WA - The shooting of Charleena Lyles was "reasonable, [and] proportional" according to a Force Review Board investigation, which the Seattle Times obtained Wednesday. Lyles was shot and killed in her Sandpoint apartment in June by two Seattle police officers. The officers claim Lyles cornered them while holding a knife, and so, without a non-lethal deterrent handy, they opened fire on her.

The Force Review Board evaluates whether significant use-of-force incidents are in line with Seattle police policy and training. The review board voted unanimously that the shooting was within department policy, according to the Times. The decision is still subject to approval by an assistant chief.

Lyles, 30, died on June 18 after calling police to report a burglary. Two officers went to Lyles' apartment to take a report, and after about 4 minutes at her apartment, a commotion breaks out, according to audio released by the department. The officers shout "Get back, get back!" and then open fire.

Lyles' death sparked large protests and renewed conversations about police brutality in Seattle. Corey Guilmette, an attorney representing some of Lyles' family, told the Times, “We cannot accept that Charleena Lyles’ killing was unavoidable."

Image via Neal McNamara/Patch