Criminal charges dropped against WSU student

PULLMAN — Criminal charges have been dropped against Washington State University student who was shot at by a University Police Officer, Wednesday, March 27, due to his attempt to commit suicide by cop.

John Bazan, 20, of Pullman was arrested March 27, and was facing charges of obstructing a law enforcement officer, intimidating a public servant and resisting arrest.

The leave and arrest followed an 11:22 a.m., March 27, report of a man with a knife.

Police arriving on scene of the fourth floor of Global Scholars residence hall, located on the Washington State University campus, said Bazan had his hands in his sweatshirt pockets and began to move towards the officers, records show. When he continued, police used a Taser on him, it was ineffective.

An officer then fired a shot and the Taser was used again, this time allowing Bazan to be taken into custody, records show. Bazan was not struck by the bullet, but was transported to Pullman Regional Hospital for evaluation.

According to reports, Whitman County Prosecutor Denis Tracy said that Bazan did not have a knife, and pulled an object out of his pocket aggressively so that officers would be forced to kill him.

WSU Officer Dillon Tiedeman-Mueller was identified by the Washington State University Police department as firing the shot in a updated report on Wednesday, April 3.

Bazan had written a suicide note prior to the incident, according to reports.

According to reports, Bazan was released after his initial court appearance and ordered to undergo in-patient mental health treatment at a hospital.