A man who held a knife to the throat of a Federal security guard before being shot by another guard is sentenced to more than a year in prison.

Who is the Suspect?

Derik Broox Wight, 41, pleaded guilty on September 27th, 2022 to assault on a federal officer. He's sentenced to 16 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

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What Happened?

The incident took place on April 20th, 2022. According to the United States Attorneys Office, District of Maine, Wight walked into the Edmund S. Muskie Federal Building in Augusta on that day and approached the security screening station, where members of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service, were working. When Wight reached the security station, he pushed a security officer against the wall and put a knife to his throat. A second security officer immediately drew his service weapon and ordered Wight to drop the knife. When he failed to do so, the officer shot him once. Wight was transported to a local hospital where he was subsequently charged.

Was the Guard Justified in Shooting Wight?

Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division said in a media release that law enforcement officers take an oath to protect others and that's what the second officer did when he fired on Wight.

We are incredibly thankful for these officers' courageous actions that day. Today's sentence ensures that Mr. Wight is held accountable for his criminal conduct and also reinforces the fact that assaults on law enforcement officers undermine the rule of law and will not be tolerated.

U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee said in the same release that the security guards have a 'difficult and dangerous job' that they did very well on that day. She assured the public that they are protected whenever they enter a federal building in Maine, as was proven in this unfortunate case.

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