St. James Officer Who Fatally Shot Man Won’t Be Charged

ST. JAMES (AP) -- The assistant police chief of St. James won't be charged for fatally shooting a knife-wielding man at a convenience store in January.

The Washington County Attorney determined Monday the shooting of 20-year-old Gilberto Salas of Gaylord was justified.

The county attorney said Assistant Chief Rochelle Hanson fired on Salas in self-defense and was ``squarely within her rights.''

According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Salas was driving a stolen vehicle when authorities began chasing him. The chase reached speeds of 120 mph before officers broke off the pursuit.

Salas later got stuck in a snowbank and fled into a Casey's General Store. Hanson and two other officers were unable to subdue Salas with Tasers, and Hanson shot Salas when he advanced on her with a knife.