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The two police officers at the University of Portland who killed Jason E. Washington, 45, of Portland, Oregon, in June, will not be charged, said a grand jury Thursday.
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The two police officers on the University of Portland campus who shot and killed a US Navy veteran and father of three who were trying to disperse a fight in front of a bar in June will not be charged.
Officers Shawn McKenzie and James Dewey have been acquitted of criminal charges in the death of Jason Washington, 45, said the Multnomah County Attorney's Office in a press release.
Washington's widow, Michelle, said the family was disappointed that the officers were not being charged.
"We want those responsible for my husband's death to be held accountable," she said in a statement obtained by the Oregonians. "We will always remember and love Jason and we know
"We want those responsible for my husband's death to be held accountable.We will always remember and love Jason and we know that he was killed unnecessarily while he was trying to keep the peace."
McKenzie and Dewey, who became sworn officers in 2016, were removed from paid administrative leave and assigned to clerical service as a result of the decision. Both will always carry firearms without patrolling.
Washington's weapon was dropped when he was involved in a fight that allegedly began with a racial insult, witnesses told Oregon Public Broadcasting in June. The officers were heard shouting, "Let go of the gun!" Several times before firing with their weapons.
Washington was a gun owner holding a concealed carry permit, the OPB said.
McKenzie, who has been on the public security campus since 2002, and Dewey, since 2014, both carried body cameras during filming, the Oregonian reported. The university told the newspaper that the images would be released later.
PSU President Rahmat Shoureshi told the OPB that the university, which had adopted the controversial decision allowing some campus officers to carry guns in 2014, hired two independent consulting firms. One will review the campus security policies and procedures, while the other will review the shot.
The school's student union is expected to hold a rally on Sept. 24, calling on the university to ban campus police from carrying guns, according to the Oregonian.
Bradford Betz of Fox News contributed to this report.
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