The fatal shooting by police of a theft suspect at Pearlridge Center in March was a justifiable use of deadly force, city Prosecutor Peter Carlisle ruled yesterday.

Thomas Joseph Loewe, 47, of Hilo, was shot March 19 while trying to drive away from the second-floor parking lot at Pearlridge Center Phase III after being confronted by police, who were attempting to arrest him for first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle. Police allegedly saw him taking items from another vehicle.

As Loewe tried to flee in his car, he collided with other vehicles — occupied and unoccupied — and placed several police officers at risk of serious bodily injury or death, Carlisle said.

Based on Loewe's failure to heed officers' orders and warnings and his show of disregard for the safety of those around him in a public place, "the officer in question reasonably believed that deadly force was immediately necessary to prevent Loewe from causing harm to the other officers and public if Loewe left the area," Carlisle said.

Police Chief Boisse Correa in March said five shots were fired. Loewe died of blood loss from a gunshot wound to his torso, the Honolulu Medical Examiner's Office said.