District Attorney Jack Daneri has backed an initial finding that the shooting of a man on Parade Street by an Erie police officer was justified.
Daneri making the announcement shortly after 11 am from his office in the Erie County Courthouse.
Daneri said his office reviewed the evidence in the case, including statements from the two officers and four independent witnesses. His staff also reviewed pictures and other evidence from the scene.
53-year James Burns was shot and killed by an Erie police officer after failing to drop a loaded handgun near East 8th and Parade Streets September 12th after the officers had ordered him to do so twice.
Witnesses also say the man raised the gun at the officer who fired.
"It was reasonable for him to believe that he and others were in immediate danger of death or bodily injury," Daneri told reporters.
Neither Erie's Police Chief nor Daneri has been willing to publicly identify the officer involved.
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