Police Shooting That Wounded Utah Teen Ruled Justified
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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A Utah prosecutor says a police shooting that critically wounded a 17-year-old Somali refugee in Salt Lake City was justified.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said Monday that officers acted appropriately when they fired in February at Abdi Mohamed, who was struck twice in the torso.
Police have said two officers intervened as Mohamed and a second person beat a man with metal sticks. The officers fired when Mohamed menacingly moved toward the victim instead of obeying orders to drop the object.
His family disputes that account, saying they have been told that Mohamed had a broomstick and misunderstood the command.
The beating victim didn't need medical attention.
The Feb. 27 shooting sparked immediate unrest in the downtown area and protests in the days afterward.
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