PORTLAND, Ore. — An Oregon sheriff says FBI agents involved in the Jan. 26 traffic stop that led to the killing of an armed Arizona rancher who helped lead a standoff on a federal wildlife refuge are under investigation for not disclosing they fired shots during the confrontation.
Deschutes County Sheriff L. Shane Nelson says neither of those shots struck Robert “LaVoy” Finicum.
Authorities say Finicum was instead hit and killed by rounds fired by Oregon State Police officers. Malheur County District Attorney Dan Norris says all six shots fired by Oregon State Police were justified. The FBI previously released video of the shooting to counter claims Finicum did nothing to provoke it.
In the aerial footage, Finicum is pulled over in his truck but then takes off and plows into a snowbank. He gets out and has his hands up at first, then appears to reach toward his jacket pocket at least twice. Officers shoot him, and he falls.
The FBI said it found a loaded handgun in the pocket.
Still, Nelson says it was of concern that FBI agents on the scene didn’t disclose they had also fired shots.
The U.S. Justice Department said in a statement it is investigating the FBI agents’ actions during the confrontation with Finicum.
The standoff was led by Ammon Bundy.
