Editor’s note: The city of Sedona, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the Arizona Department of Public Safety have not yet provided copies of the investigations to the Sedona Red Rock News nor the public for review so the statements from the city of Sedona about the details in the report cannot be independently verified. We are still waiting for copies of the report to be released by DPS after submitting a formal request in April for the final report.

Following nearly six-and-a-half months of inves­tigation by two separate agencies, investigators reportedly deemed those involved in an officer-involved shooting in Sedona as justified.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety concluded its investigation into the officer-involved shooting of Jonathan David Messare on Jan. 20.

According to a press release from the city of Sedona, the report states the officers were justified in their actions and that with Messare closing in on offi­cers with an edged weapon held over his head and ready to use, non-lethal use of force was not an option.

This statement could not be independently verified because the city of Sedona did not provide the report to the Sedona Red Rock News nor the public for

Messare closing in on offi­cers with an edged weapon held over his head and ready to use, non-lethal use of force was not an option.

This statement could not be independently verified because the city of Sedona did not provide the report to the Sedona Red Rock News nor the public for against the officers are not warranted, according to a statement by the city.

SPD Chief Charles Husted said any time there is a loss of life, it’s tragic.

“Any circumstance when an officer uses deadly force is very challenging on all involved parties — their families, the organization, and the community,” Husted told the NEWS. “Knowing that the officers were justi­fied in their actions and no charges are being filed against our officers is welcome news to hear.”

At 1:26 p.m. on the day of the incident, officers received a call from a resident on Newcastle Lane in Sedona that there was an unknown male on the prop­erty with a machete and a stick. The caller indicated that the male was yelling and screaming.

When officers arrived on scene they found Messare at the end of the road and ordered him to put his weapon down. Instead, according to the press release, Messare came toward the officers with the machete over his head, resulting in Officer William “Bill” Hunt shooting Messare two times and Sgt. Casey Pelletier shooting him four times. Messare was pronounced dead by the Sedona Fire District at 1:40 p.m.

Pelletier and Hunt were placed on paid leave, which is standard procedure for officer-involved shootings. The leave allows officers to decompress and speak with investigators as required and counselors as needed.

Both officers were back on duty within two weeks of the shooting.

The DPS investigation was originally expected to take 60 to 90 days to complete. But as a result of COVID-19, aspects of the investigation had to be delayed.

“Having previously served in a large jurisdic­tion where officer-involved shooting incidents are handled differently than in our region, I did not know what to expect as far as time line,” Husted said. “I was confident that the Arizona Department of Public Safety would conduct a thorough and unbiased investiga­tion into the shooting inci­dent and appreciate their committed work on this case and professionalism throughout the process.”

This was believed to be the first officer-involved fatal shooting in the city’s 32-year history. Husted said a lot can be learned from this incident.

“We use this case, just like all others, as teachable moments to emphasize and train appropriate response, use of force, de-escalation and other tactics intended to keep everyone, including perpetrators, as safe as possible,” he said.