Oakland cop cleared in fatal teen shooting

http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Oakland-cop-cleared-in-fatal-teen-shooting-3933240.php

The Oakland police officer who shot and killed 18-year-old Alan Blueford during a foot chase this year acted in self-defense and will face no criminal charges, Alameda County prosecutors said Tuesday.

In an 18-page report on the controversial May 6 shooting, Senior Deputy District Attorney Kenneth Mifsud said Officer Miguel Masso shot Blueford three times in the chest and left shoulder after the fleeing teenager pointed a loaded semiautomatic pistol at him.

"Officer Masso actually and reasonably believed that his life was in danger after he had made eye contact with Mr. Blueford and that if he did not shoot, he would be killed," Mifsud wrote.

Blueford's father, Adam Blueford, said Tuesday that he was disappointed by the district attorney's conclusions.

The family's attorney, John Burris, said he was not surprised by the report.

"The standard of proof (in a criminal prosecution) is beyond a reasonable doubt, and without a video, it's very difficult to prosecute a police officer," he said.