Seattle officer testifies at shooting inquest

SEATTLE (AP) – A Seattle police officer who fatally shot a man with a knife is expected to continue his testimony Wednesday before an inquest jury.

Officer Ian Birk testified Tuesday that he thought John T. Williams was taking a threatening posture, and Birk said he felt he had no other option than to fire.

Williams was a Native American wood carver the officer first saw crossing a street Aug. 30 with the knife.

Williams' family say he was not a threat and he was given only four seconds until four shots were fired.

The inquest aims to determine facts about the case that King County prosecutors may use in deciding whether to charge the officer.

–––

With information from: KOMO-News, KING-TV, KIRO-TV, KIRO-FM