King County, Washington, has ordered an inquest into the fatal shooting of a John T. Williams, a traditional woodcarver, by a police officer in Seattle.

The county will assign a judge to preside over the inquiry. A six-member jury will hear the case and help recommend whether criminal charges are warranted for the shooting of Williams, 50, who was a member of the Dididaht First Nation of British Columbia.

Officer Ian Birk has been on leave since the August 30 incident. He shot Williams four times in the side after Williams reportedly ignored orders.

At the time, Williams was carrying a woodcarving knife and a piece of wood. He was known to carve his wood in public parks in the city.

Get the Story:
Inquest ordered into Seattle officer's fatal shooting of woodcarver (The Seattle Times 10/12)

Related Stories:
Autopsy: Native carver was shot four times in his side by officer (10/6)
Board in Washington opens probe into shooting of Native man (10/4)
Justice Department monitors probe into shooting of Native man (9/21)
Mayor in Seattle calls officer shooting of Native man an 'injustice' (9/17)
Police department makes changes after First Nations man's death (9/16)
Editorial: Officer shooting of Native man threatens public's trust (9/10)
Police promise better outreach after fatal shooting of Native man (9/9)
Native leaders seek inquiry of police shooting of traditional carver (9/8)
Gyasi Ross: What are we doing about the shooting of Native man? (9/3)
First Nations in mourning after fatal shooting of traditional carver (9/3)
First Nations man shot and killed by officer was deaf in one ear (9/2)
First Nations man shot and killed by police officer in Washington (9/1)