Inquest set Jan. 10 in fatal police shooting

SEATTLE (AP) – A King County judge has set Jan. 10 for the start of an inquest into a Seattle police officer's fatal shooting of a Native American woodcarver.

An inquest jury will decide whether Officer Ian Birk had a sufficient reason to use deadly force when he shot John T. Williams on Aug. 30 on a Seattle sidewalk.

Birk has said he fired because Williams didn't respond to three commands to drop a knife he was carrying.

The Seattle Times says some witnesses have told police that the 50-year-old Williams did not act in a threatening manner.

The Police Department's Firearms Review Board and Chief John Diaz will make a final decision on the shooting after the inquest.

The King County prosecutor also will review the shooting after the inquest.

–––

Information from: The Seattle Times, http://www.seattletimes.com