Judge says officer fired shots without warning

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - A District Court judge says an Augusta police officer fired her gun without warning at a knife-wielding psychiatric patient.

The Kennebec Journal (https://bit.ly/2ox9ist ) reports a civil lawsuit alleging excessive use of force is continuing against Officer Laura Drouin. Drouin fired three shots at Jason Begin in 2015 at a clinic after responding to a request to take Begin to the hospital.

U.S. Magistrate Judge John Nivison says the officer did not warn Begin about the use of deadly force, and Begin did not make any physical or verbal threats.

Begin sued Drouin and the city in 2015, saying his civil rights were violated. He is asking for $2.5 million in damages.

Drouin’s attorney says he is deciding whether to appeal the decision to allow the case to move forward.

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Information from: Kennebec Journal, https://www.kjonline.com/