MINOT - About 30 people gathered on the Ward County Courthouse steps Friday to protest the police shooting of a man in Minot earlier this month.

Authorities said two Minot police officers involved in the wounding of Douglas Bell, 26, acted appropriately. Bell suffered three gunshot wounds and has been released from the hospital.

He has been charged with four felonies.

Officials said a state crime bureau investigation showed that officers Kari Salmon and Jason Sundbakken acted legally when Bell attacked them.

Protest organizer Juanita Helphrey of New Town, Bell's aunt, disputed the state investigation, saying Bell complied when police asked him to drop a knife.

But police said Bell came after officers waving the knife and that he was shot to prevent injury to one of the officers.

According to Helphrey, police did not contact an advocacy group or family members after the shooting.

She said the gathering was a "public outcry against hate and violence in the criminal justice system."

No problems were reported at the protest.

"We the people will challenge the police, challenge the court system and challenge the people of this state to treat us equally and fairly," Helphrey said. "Does it take calling in the FBI?"

Ward County State's Attorney John Van Grinsven said he could not talk about the case or the protest. His office brought the charges against Bell.

In a statement earlier, Van Grinsven said he reviewed the investigation results and concluded that the shooting was both appropriate and lawful.

After the shooting, Minot Police Chief Dan Draovitch said he felt the officers acted professionally and in accordance with law. The officers have since returned to duty.

Bell remains in the Ward County Jail. No date has been scheduled for a preliminary hearing or arraignment.