The district attorney says an off-duty state trooper was justified in fatally shooting a neighbor who came to the officer's western Pennsylvania home with an air-powered pellet gun that closely resembled a pistol.
Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger says Tuesday he won't file criminal charges against 27-year-old Trooper Brian Knirnschild.
Knirnschild shot 25-year-old Kristopher Barkus when he pulled the gun after the trooper shouted for him to leave about 8:40 p.m. June 5.
Instead, Barkus- who had left his home threatening to jump off a bridge _ put the gun to his head and the trooper fired six times, hitting Barkus twice in the torso. Barkus drove away, but died a short time later at a hospital.
Attorney Alexander Lindsay says the family disputes the findings and that the DA's conclusion relied on state police findings.
