XENIA, Ohio (AP) – A special prosecutor says a grand jury found officers’ actions were justified in the fatal shooting of a man at an Ohio Wal-Mart.
Special Prosecutor Mark Piepmeier (PEEP’-my-er) said Wednesday the Greene County grand jury in Xenia (ZEEN’-yah) opted not to issue any indictments in the Aug. 5 death of 22-year-old John Crawford III.
A 911 caller reported Crawford was waving what appeared to be a rifle in the store. Police said he didn’t obey commands to put down what turned out to be an air rifle he had apparently taken off a shelf.
Crawford’s family says the shooting was not justified and wants federal authorities to investigate whether race was a factor. Crawford was black, the officers are white.
An attorney for Crawford’s family didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment.