WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A prosecutor says that a Wichita police officer who fatally shot a fleeing bank robbery suspect last year is immune from prosecution under Kansas law.
Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett released his findings Thursday into the Dec. 21 death of Paul Peraza following a robbery at the Golden Plains Credit Union in Wichita and the subsequent police chase.
He concluded no criminal charges would be filed against the officer. Bennett says the officer’s explanation that he believed Peraza posed a danger to the other officer and the public is supported by the facts.
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SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities including the Kansas Bureau of Investigating and the FBI are investigating a bank robbery resulting in an officer-involved shooting.
Just after 3:40 p.m. Monday, police responded to a bank robbery at the Golden Plains Credit Union, 9555 East Corporate Hills Drive in Wichita, according to officer Paul Cruz.
The suspect, 50-year-old Paul Peraza, entered the bank, walked behind the counter, and demanded money. Employees did not see a weapon, but they were in fear of their safety. Peraza took cash and then fled in a Toyota Tundra that was reported stolen on December 14, according to Cruz.
A police officer observed the Toyota traveling north on Webb Road and attempted to stop Peraza.
He refused to stop and drove at excessive speeds into oncoming traffic to evade the officer. Peraza turned east on 13th street and struck a 2001 silver Chevy Suburban that was stopped at a red light. The driver received minor injuries.
Peraza then put the Tundra in reverse and rammed the officer’s patrol vehicle in an attempt to flee. The officer was not injured. Peraza refused to exit the truck. The officer, concerned about his safety and the public’s safety, fired shots and struck Peraza.
Peraza then drove forward and struck a Honda Accord, which was also stopped at the intersection.
EMS responded to render aid, but Peraza was pronounced dead on the scene. Investigators recovered money from the robbery in the bed of the pick-up truck.
After the incident, police learned that in 1996, Peraza was convicted of a bank robbery in California. He was also convicted of an armed bank robbery in 2006 in Oklahoma and was placed on Federal Probation.
A federal probation violation warrant had been issued for Peraza on December 14, according to Cruz.
The involved WPD officer is a nine-year veteran of the department and is assigned to the Patrol East Bureau. The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard protocol in officer-involved shootings.