MOUNT PLEASANT, Pa. (AP) - A prosecutor says a state trooper was justified in shooting and killing an armed man during a traffic stop following a reported theft from a western Pennsylvania mall.

Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh said that an investigation “unequivocally” concluded that the unnamed trooper reasonably believed that deadly force was needed to prevent death or serious injury.

Walsh said the trooper fired seven shots at Dennis Fonoimoana, 26, of Burgettstown, hitting him five times after he brandished a firearm.

Troopers were called to the Washington County mall May 22 after a store reported a retail theft. The suspects’ vehicle was stopped minutes later and the driver was taken into custody. Walsh said the passenger, Fonoimoana, refused to comply with commands, and the trooper then saw a gun in the man’s hand.