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San Diego D.A. Finds Officers Were Justified in Feb. Shooting Death

The San Diego District Attorney's office has concluded city police officers were justified when they fatally shot a 17-year-old last February. The shooting occurred after two officers saw the boy run

San Diego D.A. Finds Officers Were Justified in Feb. Shooting Death

The San Diego District Attorney's Office has concluded city police officers were justified when they fatally shot a 17-year-old last February. The shooting occurred after two officers saw the boy run a stop sign. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has more.

Officers Jack Pearson and Paul Galante pulled Noe Rojas over last February. Officers say as Rojas reached for the gearshift to put the car in park, Galante saw what turned out to be a toy gun on the passenger seat.

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He thought Rojas was reaching for it.

In the end, the officers fired at least seven shots at Rojas.

District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis says the use of force was reasonable because the officers feared they'd be run over or shot.

Ayesha Newell founded a group that focuses on police brutality in San Diego. She's disappointed with Dumanis' conclusion, but says it’s typical.

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Newell : We'd like to see an open investigation. We'd like to see real evidence that there was no other way to stop Noe or others.

Since 2004, the San Diego District Attorney has found the use of force justified in all 49 officer-involved shootings it’s investigated

Amy Isackson, KPBS News.