A prosecutor says he won't charge a white northeastern Illinois police officer in the fatal shooting a 17-year-old black boy last month.
State's Attorney Michael Nerheim said today that an investigation concluded that Zion police Officer Eric Hill was justified in shooting Justus Howell on April 4.
The shooting prompted complaints of racial bias.
Authorities say Howell met a man to buy a handgun but then tried to steal it and Howell pointed the gun at the man during a scuffle.
They say Hill intervened and chased Howell through yards and an alley, then shot him twice in the back when the teen turned slightly toward him with the gun in his hand. Nerheim says Hill feared for his life.
