Ohio Police Chief Cleared in Shooting of Home Intruder
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Police Chief James G. Jackson has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the shooting of a man who broke into his home.
Jackson, 59, was justified in opening fire after the man broke a window and entered the home, city Safety Director Leonard Keller said Thursday. The case was reviewed by the police Firearms Board of Inquiry and the offices of the city safety director and Franklin County prosecutor, Keller said.
The June 28 shooting came after a man rang Jackson’s doorbell twice, then threw a rock through his window and broke in. Jackson said he grabbed his city-issued .45-caliber pistol and fired a shot because he felt “an immediate threat to my life.”
James Watkins, 20, was later found near Jackson’s home. He had been shot once. He pleaded guilty to burglary and was sentenced to 3 to 15 years in prison.
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