BREMERTON — The Bremerton man accused of fatally shooting a 24-year-old on Naval Avenue on Saturday afternoon will face charges for delivering a controlled substance, but not murder, according to county prosecutors.

Elijah Steele, 23, told police he acted in self-defense when he fatally shot Devon Gipson after Gipson attempted to attack Steele with a knife. Steele was charged Tuesday in Kitsap County Superior Court with one count of delivery of a controlled substance for allegedly selling cocaine to Gipson before the shooting.

Bremerton police were called to the 1600 block of Naval Avenue at about 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The caller, Steele, told dispatchers someone had pulled a knife on him. Officers found Gipson on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head and Steele waiting at the scene, according to court documents.

Steele and another man — Gipson's cousin — told police that they met Gipson earlier that day at a public park in west Bremerton so that Gipson could buy cocaine. The witness said he was not a drug dealer but only accompanied Steele to facilitate the deal because Gipson was a relative, according to documents.

After the deal was done, the cousin said he received multiple text messages from Gipson, who complained that he had been sold fake cocaine and wanted his money back. Steele and the cousin eventually agreed to meet Gipson on the 1500 block of Naval.

Gipson's cousin went to talk with Gipson in his car and calm him down, according to documents. The cousin told police Gipson was "really mad" because he told Gipson he did not have the money, saying the cocaine came from Steele.

Gipson approached the driver side window of Steele's car and demanded his money, according to documents. Steele told police Gipson made "stabbing motions" toward him and placed the knife against Steele's throat.

Steele grabbed a pistol from his car's center console and shot Gipson once in the head, according to documents. Steele then exited the car, put the gun on the ground, and called 911.

Gipson was treated on scene by medics but later died.

Steele had a concealed pistol license, according to court documents.

The cousin, who was standing on the passenger side of the car, said he also saw Gipson with a knife in his hand as he approached the window. He told police Gipson "pinned" Steele's arm and moved the knife toward Steele's throat. He reported hearing a "pop" and watched Gipson fall backward.

Video from a camera on a nearby home corroborated statements from both Steele and Gipson's cousin but did not show the actual shooting, according to court documents.

Deputy prosecutor Cami Lewis said statements from witnesses made it clear that Steele had acted in self-defense.

"I think it's pretty clear from there that we would not prevail on a murder charge," Lewis said.

Prosecutors added a special "protected zone" allegation, which indicates the crime was committed within 1,000 feet of a public space like a school, bus stop or park. If found guilty of the special allegation, Steele could face additional prison time.