Zachary James Ortiz

A 24-year-old Lawrence man who was shot by police in June during an apparent dispute was arrested Thursday night, and on Friday morning law enforcement officials released the first detailed account of how the shooting — which they conclude was justified — allegedly occurred.

Zachary James Ortiz was booked into the Douglas County Jail about 6 p.m. Thursday on suspicion of two counts of aggravated assault related to the events of June 22, when a Lawrence police officer shot Ortiz at his home on Kasold Drive.

On that day, police responded about 12:30 a.m. to a report of gunfire in the area of Harvard Road and Kasold Drive. According to a news release Friday from the Douglas County District’s Attorney Office, when Lawrence Police Officer Skyler Richardson, 23, arrived in the neighborhood, the person who made the report –not identified by police — told Richardson that he had heard what he believed to be two shots from a small-caliber rifle coming from the Ortiz home at 1103 Kasold Drive.

The following events then occurred, according to the district attorney’s office: Richardson went to the home and found the home’s owner, Edward Ortiz, standing behind a vehicle in the driveway. Edward Ortiz told Richardson that he had not heard gunshots but that his son was inside the house and was intoxicated. That day was his son’s birthday. Richardson then asked to speak with Edward Ortiz’s son, Zachary Ortiz, to make sure he was OK. Edward Ortiz took Richardson through his open garage and into the house, where Zachary Ortiz confronted his father and the officer while holding a “blunt object” over his shoulder. Zachary Ortiz then ran farther into the home, and the elder Ortiz and Richardson followed. Richardson found Zachary Ortiz in an upstairs bedroom holding a shotgun and attempting to load it. Richardson repeatedly ordered Zachary Ortiz to drop the weapon. When Zachary Ortiz failed to comply, Richardson shot him.

After the shooting, a second officer, Terry Haak, 50, responded to the scene and both officers provided medical care for Zachary Ortiz until paramedics arrived, according to the district attorney’s office. Zachary Ortiz was taken to Kansas University Hospital in Kansas City, Kan., by air ambulance with serious injuries, police reports said. Edward Ortiz said later that his son had suffered two gunshot wounds, one in each leg. He was released from the hospital a week later, on June 29.

One of the aggravated assault charges that the younger Ortiz now faces is based on police allegations that he had threatened his father with a knife during an argument just before police arrived that night. The other charge is based on an allegation of aggravated assault against Richardson, a law enforcement officer. Because the matter is a criminal investigation, law enforcement officials do not intend to comment further until Ortiz’s preliminary hearing, said Lawrence Police Department spokesman Sgt. Trent McKinley.

During the investigation, officers Richardson and Haak were placed on administrative leave, but the district attorney’s office said Friday that Richardson’s actions were justified and that both officers would be returned to regular duty.

Zachary Ortiz made his first court appearance Friday afternoon via teleconference from the Douglas County Jail. A representative of the Swain Law Office attempted to argue on his behalf for a lower bond amount, but Pro Tem Judge James George, after questioning the man’s legal credentials, kept the bond set at $50,000. Zachary Ortiz is scheduled to next appear in court on Tuesday.