Muskogee Officer's Shooting Of Knife-Wielding Man Ruled As Justified

The Muskogee County District Attorney announced today that an officer's shooting of a knife-wielding man on August 7 was legally justified.

Muskogee Officer James Moore shot Sean Ellis, who pulled out a knife and refused Moore's commands to stop, according to a news release from the DA.

"Officer Moore was acting within the scope and course of employment with the Muskogee Police Department," said DA Orvil Loge.

Muskogee police released Moore's body camera video Thursday from the shooting.

8/17/2017 Related Story: Muskogee Officer's Shooting Of Knife-Wielding Man Ruled Justified

"Do not  pull the knife. Drop that knife!" Moore can be heard saying in the video. "Do not move closer. Thou shalt bear no false witness against God."

Ellis can be seen taking a few steps toward Moore and that's when Moore fires three shots at Ellis.

Officer Lincoln Anderson said at the end of their investigation, they've seen no wrongdoing in Moore's actions, because Ellis was a threat to everyone else around.

8/8/2017 Related Story: Muskogee Police Release Names In Officer-Involved Shooting

"If he's going to approach an officer in a violent manner, that's not to say he won't approach just a regular citizen in the same way," Anderson said. "As far as our investigation, Officer Moore didn't violate any policy or use any type of excessive force."

The results of that investigation will be turned over to the Muskogee County District Attorney's Office.

Moore has not returned to work.

Anderson says they'll make sure he has the appropriate counseling and is fit for duty before he comes back.

Ellis has been in a Tulsa hospital since the shooting.