COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - The Callaway County prosecuting attorney says no charges will be filed in a fatal Columbia police shooting.
Prosecutor Chris Wilson announced Friday that his review of the May shooting death of Clarence Coats Jr. found that a Columbia police officer acted lawfully when Coats was shot.
Wilson said Coats was using methamphetamine when he began shooting indiscriminately at a Columbia home. He apparently was upset about ending a relationship and had argued with his family.
The report says Coats fired at officers when they arrived and attempts to negotiate with him were unsuccessful. A sheriff’s deputy was shot in the arm.
Wilson says the Coats was shot only after he appeared to be aiming at a bystander.
Wilson was appointed special prosecutor to determine if charges would be filed.
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