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Jury Acquits Minneapolis Cop Who Shot At Car

MINNEAPOLIS (AP/WCCO) — A jury has acquitted a Minneapolis police officer who shot at a car full of club-goers nearly two years ago.

The Hennepin County jury deliberated over two days before finding officer Efrem Hamilton not guilty of all charges Tuesday.

Bullet Hole From Officer Efrem Hamilton
The bullet hole in Caylea Wade's car (credit: CBS)

Hamilton was charged with second-degree assault and intentional discharge of a firearm. No one was hurt, but prosecutors still charged Hamilton.

Downtown Minneapolis Melee Shooting
Scene of melee where Caylea Wade's car was shot (credit: CBS)

Hamilton was off-duty when he went to assist with a shots fired call near Target Field in November 2016. His squad car collided with a BMW driving in reverse to get away from the chaotic scene, driven by Caylea Wade.

The Star Tribune reports Hamilton testified he heard the car's engine revving and feared for his life. Prosecutors argued that the sound could have come from any number of other cars in the area.

(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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