WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputies who shot and killed an 18-year-old gunman at a PBC CU in February have been cleared as an investigation determined Chris Thompson of Palm City shot at deputies for the sole purpose of “suicide by cop.”
Investigators said after being shot 11 times in the credit union parking lot, Thompson said, “thank you” to the deputies who shot him.
The state attorney’s office said the gunman called 911 himself while in the parking lot with a .22 caliber rifle in his hands. “I’m seeing him shoot sometimes in the air but I don’t know...It looks like sometimes he shooting at cars...It looks like a rifle,” said Thompson to a 911 operator.
Thompson described the gunman and his actions to 911 operators – who were unaware it was him firing the gun while on the line.
Thompson’s family later revealed to the state attorney’s office that days before the shooting Thompson became distraught as a result of his friend dying. His mother told deputies he was a “totally different kid” after the funeral.
Once Thompson started firing, deputies fired back fearing for their lives. They moved in to try to arrest Thompson, but investigators said he reached for his gun.
