Police: Midwest City Officer-Involved Shooting Justified

By Evan Anderson, News 9

MIDWEST CITY -- The Midwest City police chief says last week's officer-involved killing was justified. Last week, 42-year old Bryan Scott was shot and killed by Officer Jeremy Zuniga after police say he ran towards him with a machete and what they thought was a rifle.

12/14/2012 Related Story: Police: Officer Involved In Fatal Midwest City Shooting Acted In Self-Defense

Chief Brandon Clabes says deadly force was lawful in this case, and Officer Jeremy Zuniga had no choice but to use deadly force to protect himself.

In a chilling 911 call made by the woman who told the dispatcher there was an explosion in her garage, and a man in her back yard with a pellet gun, you can hear when police arrive.

Dash cam video shows the dramatic scene unfold right in front of the home. Within minutes officer Jeremy Zuniga shoots and kills the suspect, 42-year-old Bryan Don Scott twice.

"You can tell from the video, he had no choice. It was a life threatening situation for the officer," said Clabes.

Chief Clabes says Scott was carrying a machete in his right hand, and a pellet gun, officer Zuniga thought was a rifle in the other. When officer Zuniga arrives, Scott begins running towards him with the machete over his head, and attempting to point the pellet gun at Zuniga, one handed.

Chief Clabes determined that deadly force was lawful, and justified in the case, and no action by the District Attorney is warranted.

"At this point he is being released back to full duty and he will continue his service with our agency," Clabes said.

Police believe Scott was upset with the homeowners, who evicted him a day before the incident. Scott took an accelerant, and doused the homeowners clothes inside the garage, and set them on fire.

Scott had a lengthy criminal history. Midwest City police recently filed federal charges against him a few days before he was killed for possession of a fire arm.

Officer Zuniga joined the Midwest City Police Department as a full-time police officer in November of 2011. He will return to work Sunday night.

Meanwhile, toxicology results are still pending for Bryan Scott to determine if there were any narcotics in his system.