Duluth Police Officer Cleared In Suspect's Death
DULUTH, Minn. (AP) -- Investigators have cleared a veteran Duluth police officer who shot and killed a robbery suspect after a chase last month.
The St. Louis County Attorney's office said Wednesday that Sgt. Brad Wick was justified in using deadly force.
Wick shot and killed 31-year-old Brian Butala on Aug. 28. Butala was a passenger in a stolen car that crashed into a house in Duluth during a police chase.
Police say Butala had two handguns and fired three times as officers, including Wick, entered the home.
The Duluth News Tribune reports Wick is a 26-year police veteran. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension reviewed the case.
Police tried stopping the car because it matched the description of one that was stolen at gunpoint following a Walgreens robbery the night before.
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