Orange County prosecutors announced Tuesday that they believe Anaheim Police Officer Bruce Linn feared for his life when he shot and killed 23-year-old David Raya.
Two Anaheim officers were chasing Raya on August 16, 2011. Raya was a wanted parolee and was a documented gang member known to be armed and dangerous.
According to prosecutors, Raya reached for his waistband during the chase, causing Linn to fear he was reaching for a weapon.
Witnesses told Anaheim police Raya had been recently involved in at least two vehicle thefts and was believed to be armed with at least three guns. A wanted poster for Raya was issued on July 29, 2011.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.