DA: Fatal Shooting By Cherokee County Deputy Was Justified

The Wagoner County District Attorney says a Cherokee County deputy was justified in shooting and killing a stabbing suspect in October.

Deputy Bryan Qualls shot and killed Daniel Nole outside a drug rehab center in Norwood on October 30, 2015. Qualls had responded to the center on a report of multiple stabbings.

11/4/2015 Related Story: Deputy, Suspect Identified In Fatal Cherokee County Shooting

The stabbing victims told Qualls Nole had run to a nearby barn.

District Attorney Brian Kuester said when Qualls found Nole, Nole refused to drop his knife. After being tazed three times Nole continued to advanced toward Qualls with the knife raised, according to the DA. As Qualls backed away he fell, drew his weapon and shot Nole twice in the chest. Paramedics later pronounced him dead.

The DA's office says the shooting is covered by Oklahoma's law on justifiable use of force.