Olathe police who shot at two teens were justified, Johnson County DA says
Charges won’t be filed against two Olathe police officers who shot at a pair of teenagers, one of whom was injured, during a November burglary investigation.
The shooting was justified, Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe said Monday. In a news release, he detailed the “mayhem” that unfolded on November 24 and led to officers firing three separate times at the 16-year-olds.
Late that night, Olathe officers were called to the area of Cedar Street and Clairborne Road on a report of two males possibly being involved in car burglaries.
An officer saw two males, later identified as Christian Batson and Deven Mann, who were both 16 at the time. When the officer asked to speak to them, they allegedly responded with an expletive and walked away.
Batson then turned towards the officer and began shooting, Howe said. The officer returned fire. No one was hit.
Batson allegedly ran down the street and got in the officer’s patrol vehicle. Knowing that put the teen near a patrol rifle and shotgun, the officer shot at the police car. No one was struck.
Nearby, a second officer had ordered Mann to the ground. When Mann failed to comply, the second officer “bull rushed” him, according to prosecutors.
Meanwhile, Batson got out of the patrol car, struck the second officer and was subdued by other officers.
As the second officer and Mann continued to struggle, a gun fell out of Mann’s pocket. When Mann reached for it, the second officer shot him once, Howe said.
Mann stopped struggling and was handcuffed.
Howe concluded that the officers had fired in defense.
Batson is charged with two counts of attempted capital murder and seven other felonies. Mann is charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.
The two firearms that Batson and Mann had were stolen from a residence shortly before the incident began, the prosecutor’s office said.
