Authorities 'legally justified' in use of lethal force in Stuart shootout
The Adair County Attorney published a letter Wednesday clearing authorities of wrongdoing in an officer-involved shooting that injured two Guthrie County deputies and a Stuart man.
In a four-page report, the Adair County Attorney said deputies Kent Gries and Steven Henry, and Stuart Police Officer Tyler DeFrancisco, were "legally justified in firing their weapons at Randall Comly” during the Oct. 17 incident.
The full report can be found here.
Authorities charged Comly with attempted murder for firing at Gries and DeFrancisco when they tried to arrest him.
According to the report, Comly fried a .22-caliber handgun multiple times striking areas of the walls near their heads.
The report said Gries and DeFrancisco each fired 16 rounds at Comly. Henry reportedly fired six rounds
The county attorney said Henry and Guthrie County Sheriff James Mink, who were outside during the commotion, were struck and injured by friendly fire.
Comly’s attempted murder charges were dropped in exchange for federal drug charges.
Authorities hope federal charges will mean Comly serves more time in prison.