Officers cleared in shooting death of armed man

Two South Lake Tahoe police officers who shot and killed a suspect have been cleared to return to duty.

Officer Brodie Seagrave and Sgt. Terry Daniels were put on paid administrative leave following the March 23 shooting death of Brandon Lowder, 30, who pointed a replica .45-caliber BB gun at the officers responding to a domestic violence call.

Paid leave is standard procedure when an officer fires his or her weapon. Seagrave returned to his patrol beat on April 4, while Daniels resumed his watch commander duties on April 7.

They worked different shifts, resulting in the different return dates.

Even though both men have been cleared, the investigation remains open pending toxicology and blood reports before it is sent to the District Attorney's Office for review, said Cmdr. Don Murren.

"We believe the results indicate that everything was within policy so they're back working," he said.

Officers fired nine shots at Lowder. He was struck multiple times with bullets from their Glock .40-caliber pistols, which carry 15 rounds each.

The two showed up at the 700 block of Alameda Avenue after police dispatch received a call about a domestic disturbance. Before the officers were allowed inside, they saw Lowder walking from the rear of the home. He reappeared holding a gun and pointed it at the officers, despite being told to drop it, Sgt. Les Scott said.

A memorial and celebration of Lowder's life was March 29 at Regan Beach. His father, Richard Lowder, said about 100 people attended.

"He'd meet somebody, and if they had anything in common, they were friends for life," Lowder said about his son.

Lowder said his son's girlfriend, who was also in the house, repeatedly told the officers Brandon Lowder had a BB gun and not a real firearm. The officers "just wanted some action," Richard Lowder said.