Brighton Officer Justified In Fatal Shooting

BRIGHTON, Colo. (AP) -- Authorities say a police officer was justified when he shot and killed an armed man after a vehicle chase near Brighton.

District Attorney Don Quick said Friday an independent team of detectives determined that Brighton Police Sgt. Doug Imfeld was justified in the Jan. 7 shooting death of 36-year-old Shad Lane Pemberton of Brighton.

Authorities say Pemberton fled from police following a disturbance at a convenience store and was shot after refusing to obey orders to drop his handgun, which turned out to be a pellet gun. Pemberton died from a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Toxicology reports indicate he had alcohol and cocaine in his system when he was killed.

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