MIDDLEBURG, Fla. -- The State Attorney says the sheriff deputies who shot and killed a cop killer were justified in pulling the trigger.
The deputies shot and killed
Ted Tilley at a meth house on Alligator Boulevard in Middleburg in February. Deputies went to the home to investigate a meth lab at a home that was supposed to be empty.
Deputies were met with gunfire shortly after they opened the door.
One bullet struck
Detective David White in the head, and another hit Detective Matt Hanlin in the arm. Detective White died from his injuries.
Authorities say Tilley tried to run out the back door with a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver in his hand. Detectives ordered Tilley to drop his weapon. He refused. Detective Gary Lavaron and Detective Andy McCrea shot Tilley when he raised the gun.
"Under the above circumstances, Detective Lavaron and Detective McCrea had reason to believe that the use of deadly force was necessary to protect themselves and others from imminent death or great bodily harm and to stop a fleeing felon," wrote State Attorney Angela Corey in the ruling.
Four
others in the home face charges in connection with White's murder.
