No criminal liability for officers in shooting at Mount Horeb Middle School

No criminal charges will be filed against the officers who shot and killed an armed student outside Mount Horeb Middle School earlier this year, according to the Dane County District Attorney’s office. Officers shot and killed a 14-year-old boy who showed up at the school with a rifle on May 1. According to reports, an officer armed himself with a rifle and confronted the teen, who allegedly refused to comply with the officers’ demands. After fatally shooting the teen, officers discovered that the gun used was an air rifle that was designed to look like a real firearm. The District Attorney’s office said, “Under these circumstances the air rifle possessed appeared to be a real firearm and the action of pointing it directly at law enforcement while advancing toward law enforcement was perceived to be a direct threat to the life of an officer. Responding to that threat with deadly force is permitted under the law.” In a statement Monday, Mount Horeb police offered their support and sympathy for those affected by the incident.