Johnson County DA says officer saved lives in October Olathe police shooting
The Johnson County DA says the Olathe police officers involved in the October shooting that left a man dead was right to use deadly force
OLATHE, Kan. -- The Johnson County District Attorney says the Olathe police officers involved in the October shooting that left a man dead was right to use deadly force.
The shooting happened in October near 126th Terrace and Canyon Drive.
District Attorney Steve Howe says a 21-year-old called 911 claiming his neighbor, 33-year-old Dan Laing, threatened his 10-year-old brother with a gun gesture with his hand.
When officers arrived, the 21-year-old reported several previous incidents, including one where Laing tried to hit him.
Officers issued Laing a misdemeanor for assault.
Howe said Laing came back outside of his home with a loaded handgun, kicked in the front door to his neighbors' house and that's when the Olathe officer fired his gun. He heard a shot come from inside the house and fired several rounds at Laing.
"I truly believe he saved a lot of lives inside that house," Howe said. "As I indicated there were seven individuals inside that home at the time he kicked the front door in, including two elderly people and so I think he clearly saved the lives of one or more of those individuals inside the home."
Howe also released body camera footage Friday of the shooting.
During the investigation, Laing's wife came home and whispered to an officer "help me, help my children."