Kauai County’s Office of the Prosecuting Attorney is declining to file criminal charges against police officers involved in the shooting of a 21-year-old Kalaheo man in August 2013.

Mason Saio was fatally shot by officers after he allegedly disobeyed repeated verbal commands to drop weapons and step out of his car. After pointing a loaded rifle at officers, Saio then threw the weapon in the direction of the officers and then pointed a loaded shotgun at them, police said. Officers then opened fire, shooting Saio, who died at the scene.

According to a news release issued by the prosecutor’s office Thursday afternoon, a review of the shooting determined the officers were justified in their handling of the incident because they were acting in self-defense or were defending other officers. 

At about 10:40 p.m. on Aug. 16, four officers were conducting routine checks at the Nawiliwili Harbor jetty area when they saw Saio in a parked 2011 Chevy Cavalier sedan, holding two firearms — a .223-caliber assault rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun.