LaSalle Officer Cleared Of Deadly Shooting Of Adams County Deputy

LASALLE, Colo. (CBS4) - Caroline Persichetti, a LaSalle police officer involved in a shooting of an off-duty Adams County Sheriff's deputy, has been cleared of any wrongdoing. The deputy, identified as Jesse Jenson, died in the shooting.

Officers responded to the area of Highway 85 and 42nd Street in Weld County on Jan. 16.

The incident started as a chase at 10:25 p.m., according to Greeley police. Officers chased two cars on Highway 85 from Platteville to Evans after the drivers didn't stop for officers.

One of the vehicles, a Jeep Patriot, hit stop sticks deployed by another La Salle police officer. Court documents indicate the Patriot and Toyota 4Runner driven by the deputy continued over the Platte River Bridge and the 4Runner pulled alongside the Patriot, swerving at the Jeep, forcing it onto the shoulder. The actions made officer Persichetti believe the occupants of the patriot were victims of the aggressive driving.

After the 4Runner slowed down and stopped, court documents state Jenson got out of the vehicle "aggressively" and walked up to the officer without obeying her commands. Then, she fired her weapon at him, hitting him in the head. She described fearing for her life, saying he aggressively approached her. It was later determined that Jenson was not armed.

On Monday, officials announced the Weld County Statutory Grand Jury determined Persichetti was justified in her actions.

LINK: Full Grand Jury Decision