The fatal shooting of an unarmed New Hampshire man last year by police was legally justified, the state attorney general’s office announced Tuesday.
Thornton police Officer Matthew Yao shot Ethan Freeman, 37, twice in the chest outside his apartment in October. No criminal charges will be filed, Deputy Attorney General Jane Young announced.
According to an attorney general’s report that was based largely on statements from Yao and video from his body-worn camera and patrol car, Freeman went to a school in the morning complaining of chest pains and asking for an ambulance. Yao arrived and talked with Freeman, who was taken to a hospital. Freeman declined to be admitted and left without being treated.
Later in the day, Yao responded to a call and arrived alone outside Freeman’s apartment and found a naked, bloodied and agitated Freeman inside, according to the report.
Freeman told Yao he was suicidal and bleeding and asked Yao to call an ambulance, according to the report. Yao told Freeman that paramedics were on the way.
Yao tried to calm the man, including saying, “I want to help you,” according to the report. Freeman repeatedly threatened to kill the officer as the confrontation became more heated, with Freeman eventually jumping out of his window and advancing toward Yao.
The officer told Freeman to “stay back” five times and then shot him, according to the report. Freeman died at the scene.
“The body camera footage shows at no point in time did Mr. Freeman pause, slow down or otherwise indicate any compliance with Officer Yao’s repeated directives to stay away,” said Peter Hinkley, a senior assistant attorney general.
Yao told investigators that he feared Freeman injuring him or trying to take his gun, according to the report. He said he didn’t believe he had time to use less lethal means, such as a stun gun or chemical spray.
No one from Freeman’s family responded to a request for comment.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.