Cottage Grove Police Officer Cleared In Standoff
COTTAGE GROVE, Minn. (AP) -- The Washington County Attorney's office has cleared a Cottage Grove police officer who shot and wounded a man during a standoff in August.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports the county attorney's office says 17-year veteran Officer Pat Nickle's actions "were well within reason and supported by statute."
Nickle shot a man who authorities say was shooting at police officers and threatening to kill them Aug. 2 in St. Paul Park.
Police initially responded to a report of a suicidal man. When officers arrived, they were met by gunfire.
The nearly five-hour standoff ended when Nickle, a law enforcement sniper, shot and wounded 22-year-old Nathan Kluessendorf.
Kluessendorf is charged with three counts each of attempted murder of a police officer and use of deadly force against a peace officer.
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