No charges filed in Louisville PD officer-involved shooting
Dec. 8—No charges have been filed against the Louisville police officers who shot and killed a man in his home on Oct. 23, the Boulder County District Attorney's office announced Wednesday.
A news release from the DA's office stated that the three officers involved — Michael Miranda, Ben Hibl and Mackenzie Calvano — had reason to believe that the man, identified as 57-year-old Lynn Fredericksen, posed an "imminent threat of deadly harm" to themselves and others, and that they were "legally justified in using deadly force."
The DA's office news release also revealed information about the circumstances leading up to the shooting that had not previously been made public. On Oct. 14, Fredericksen and his wife, who is not named in the release, had had their first child after being married for seven years. Fredricksen had reportedly been acting scared and anxious and went days without sleeping. By Oct. 21, Fredericksen's wife took him to the hospital for medical treatment after he became suicidal.
Early on Oct. 23, the release stated, Fredericksen entered their room and started making "concerning statements." He then became violent with his wife, leaving her bruised and injured. In the moment, she had believed she was going to die.
After his wife freed herself, she called 911 and made a report of domestic violence to the police. Police were dispatched to the home in the 300 block of East Street at 6:29 a.m. The officers arrived at the home to find Fredericksen standing in a bathroom doorway, holding a large butcher knife. He had severe self-inflicted knife wounds on his neck and was covered in blood.
Although Miranda commanded Fredericksen to drop the knife, he did not. When Fredericksen began advancing toward Miranda with the knife still in hand, all three officers fired on Fredericksen, killing him. None of the officers were injured, and everyone else who was in the house was able to get out safely.
"This scary domestic violence incident ended with the loss of a life, which is tragic," Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty stated in the release. "Although it happened very quickly, this incident will carry lifelong consequences for Ms. Fredericksen, her baby, and the other family members. In addition, for the officers who responded to this domestic violence call, I recognize there will be a lasting impact on them. Whenever police officers use deadly physical force, the ensuing investigation is important to all those involved and to this community."
The announcement from the Boulder County DA's Office came after a thorough investigation by the Boulder County Investigation Team, which examines all incidents where law enforcement officers use deadly (or potentially deadly) force against a person while in the line of duty. The officers were placed on administrative leave during the investigation, per department policy.
