BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Erie County District Attorney John Flynn says that an officer-involved shooting that took place last year was justified.
Flynn held a news conference Thursday morning. In that conference, the district attorney said that Buffalo Police Officer Joseph Meli was justified in the fatal shooting of 47-year-old Marcus Neal.
Charges will not be filed against the officer.
On December 12th of last year, police say security from the Wegmans on Amherst Street reported a shoplifter at 11:20 p.m.
An on-duty lieutenant who happened to be in the store was informed the suspect had ran.
Approximately eight minutes later, officers located the suspect across the street. They chased the suspect on foot to Gladstone Street.
Police said the suspect ran into a yard and climbed up onto a flat-roof garage. Multiple officers pursued him up there.
Once up there, he produced a knife and refused multiple requests to drop the weapon, police said.
Then, the suspect charged the officers with the knife, and one of the officers opened fire, striking the suspect, police said.
Neal was transported to Erie County Medical Center and immediately put into surgery. He later died from his injuries. Meli was also taken to ECMC to be evaluated.
