A man who was killed during a break-in at a clothing and shoe store was shot in the back, and some belts from the store were found near his body in the street where he died, an inquest jury was told.

The information was revealed in testimony Wednesday about the shooting that has divided the community with demonstrations in support of the dead man's family and others in support of the store owner's right to defend his property.

No one disputes that New York Store Western Outfitters owner John Saul, who lives in the store, shot Cesar H. Chavira in the early morning hours of May 4.

Chavira, 22, was a known gang member with a criminal record, the Walla Walla County sheriff's office said.

Even his family conceded he was probably burglarizing the store, but they say he shouldn't have been killed.

"It was very clear my son was running for his life, and he got shot many, many times in the back. You can tell my son was running for his life," Chavira's mother, Camerina Alejandre, told KVEW (http://is.gd/cSQiYx). "What this man did - try to be sure he will not get away with it."

Saul was at the inquest Wednesday but did not speak. He told police at the time he feared for his life, and his lawyer Michael Hubbard has said it was self-defense.

Saul has not been charged. Walla Walla Prosecutor Jim Nagle said earlier the information he received from sheriff's investigators made no conclusion or recommendation.

Chavira family members and friends have demonstrated, demanding that Saul be charged.

Saul has his own supporters from a community group called Take Back Walla Walla, which supports legislation in Washington to declare that deadly force is justified in defense of a home.

The dispute led Walla Walla County Coroner Richard Greenwood to call an inquest. He asked Franklin County Coroner Dan Blasdel to preside.

The six jurors will be asked to determine if the shooting was justified, but the ruling will not be binding on the prosecutor.

Officer Ascencion Castillo was the first to arrive at the scene of the shooting, the Union-Bulletin reported ( http://is.gd/8PHSF6). He discovered Chavira in the road, roughly 75 yards from the store.

"It was pretty obvious he was shot in the back," Castillo testified Wednesday. "He was taking his last breaths."

Blood was found on the street near the store, and five shots were fired from Saul's shotgun. But investigators "cannot tell you exactly when the first shot was or where the deceased was when he was first shot," said Walla Walla Deputy Prosecutor Gabe Acosta, who served as the coroner's counsel.

The New York Store is in the county, while Chavira's body was found nearby, technically in the city limits, officials said.

Castillo also read an affidavit written by Walla Walla police Sgt. Michael Ralston, who arrived at the scene just after Castillo, the Tri-City Herald reported ( http://is.gd/42PTv3). Ralston was out of town and unable to testify.

"I asked him, `John, what's going on?' He replied something like, `He broke in, and I shot him. I was in fear for my life,'" said Ralston's affidavit.

Walla Walla Sheriff's Sgt. Bill White was the next to arrive at the store, and he talked to Saul. "It looked like he vomited on the front of his shirt," White said. "He just kind of had a blank look on his face."

Saul told White that he had been sleeping and was awakened by someone breaking in. Saul said Chavira threatened him, and he shot Chavira, White said.

White testified that Saul did not explain how Chavira threatened him, and he tried to give him some time to calm down. When White asked for more specifics about what happened, Saul asked to call an attorney.

A 12-gauge shotgun was on the counter.

Deputy Matthew Stroe, the sheriff's crime analyst technician, said he found a backpack near Chavira's body that had shards of glass inside and there were some belts nearby. He identified pictures that showed the broken glass from the front door and five shotgun shell casings in a half-circle just outside the door.

Chavira's girlfriend, Myra Urincho, told the jury she had been with Chavira at the New York Store two days before the shooting.

They were in the store for about an hour looking at shirts and other items, including the belts. Urincho said she bought a shirt for Chavira.