FREDONIA – The Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office says the Fredonia police officer who shot an killed a man last December will not face any charges or disciplinary action.
District Attorney Patrick Swanson held a press conference in Fredonia on Friday afternoon to announce the conclusion of his investigation into the incident that took place on December 10 at a residence on Liberty Street in the north county village.
Swanson said evidence has shown that the suspect – identified as Gueorgui “George” Penev – had already done harm to himself, with a forensic examination showing he was also under the influence of cocaine and LSD.
When officers were called to the residence on a report of a despondent individual, Penev reportedly went after Police Officer Nathan Scriven with a knife with a nine-inch blade. Scriven then exited the home and Penev followed him out and continued to approach Scriven until he was fatally shot.
An examination by the medical examiner also concluded that Penev had several self-inflicted wounds that were substantial and he would have likely succumbed to those injuries, had he not been shot by police.
The investigation not only relied on information from the medical examiner, but also body camera footage from the officers who responded.
In addition to closing the investigation, Swanson said a resident at the home, identified as Amanda Bridges, was also charged for allegedly supplying the drugs the Penev.
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