WINFIELD, Kan. (AP) — The Cowley County Attorney says the fatal shooting of an Arkansas City man by a sheriff’s deputy was justified.
Attorney Chris Smith said Friday that the deputy had reason to believe he was going to die if he did not shoot 22-year-old Tayler Rand Rock after a traffic stop in May. The deputy stopped Rock, of Arkansas City, on U.S. 166 near Dexter for a traffic violation.
Smith said Rock refused to get out of the car before grabbing the officer’s wrist and trying to drive away, dragging the deputy with the car. The deputy shot Rock several times.
Rock’s 9-month-old child was in the car but was not injured. The deputy continues to receive medical treatment for injuries to his left ankle, knee, foot, shoulder and hand.