Officer Cleared After Civilian Shooting

Prosecutors in Monroe County have cleared the police officer who shot and killed a 21 year old man in October. Sparta police Sgt. Booker Ferguson has since returned to work.

Monroe County District Attorney Kevin Croninger says Ferguson was acting within the law when he shot and killed John Bartholomew.
Ferguson responded to a call from Bartholomew’s father, who reported that his son was drinking and threatening his parents with weapons.

Croninger’s report says Bartholomew was carrying two knives when he advanced upon Ferguson in the street. The report says the Bartholomew repeatedly ignored the officer’s request to drop the knives, so Ferguson shot him three times. Croninger says Ferguson made the correct decision and that there wasn’t time to use a less lethal weapon.