Authorities in Chautauqua County announced at a press conference today they would not press charges against a Fredonia Police Officer who shot and killed a man in December. 23 year old George Penev was shot by Officer Nathaniel Scriven, a 15 year veteran of the police force.
According to toxicology reports, Penev was under various narcotics that night, including cocaine and LSD. He was shot while rushing towards Officer Scriven with a knife in his hands.
“We’ve concluded our nearly four month investigation” said Chautauqua County District Attorney Patrick Swanson. “Making the determination that the officer acted lawfully and appropriately.”
In addition, Swanson said, Fredonia Police arrested Amber Bridges on two drug counts. Bridges is accused of supplying Penev with drugs.
Body Camera footage from the incident was made available to media at the press conference. Swanson said the footage was “essential” in making a determination on the case.
He said this is another story of the harm that drugs can do.
“At the end of the day this is a very tragic incident where the scourge of drugs shows its face again” Swanson said. “And we’ll have to pick up the pieces of the damage that is done by people using illegal narcotics.”
Officers are trained in such situations to use deadly force.
