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Prosecutors rule fatal officer-involved shooting was justified

Posted at 8:14 PM, Sep 17, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-18 01:01:32-04

COLORADO SPRINGS – The 4th Judicial District Attorney’s office ruled Monday that a Colorado Springs police officer will not face any charges in connection to the fatal shooting of a burglary suspect last April.

Prosecutors ruled that Officer Troy Kananen acted lawfully when he shot 41-year-old Jesse Schlegel on April 25, in the 1000 block of N. 19th Street.

Investigators found that Schlegel was armed with a loaded 9mm Glock handgun after the shooting. The investigative report was based on body camera video and witness accounts.

Kananen was dispatched to a residence after receiving a call about a burglary in progress. When Kananen arrived, the person who reported the burglary was outside watching the area where the suspect entered the structure.

According to the District Attorney’s office, Officer Kananen told the man to leave the area to get him away from potential danger.

Kananen told investigators that he saw the suspect exit through a hole in the side of the building and pointed his pistol at the suspect. The suspect, later identified as Schlegel, then ran away from the officer, prompting a pursuit on foot.

As the suspect ran, the 911 caller reappeared and tried to stop the man engaging in a “brief tussle.” The man yelled that Schlegel had a gun.

That’s when Kananen said he saw Schlegel turn toward the 911 caller with a gun in his right hand. That’s when Kananen shot Schlegel four times. Schlegel dropped his gun when he was shot.

Schlegel died after being taken to the hospital. Toxicology reports said he had narcotics in his system, including a “high concentration of methamphetamine.”

Investigators ruled Officer Kananen acted lawfully when he shot Schlegel because Kananen believed Schlegel was about to shoot at the person who reported the burglary.