SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse police officers Darrin Ettinger and Jeremy Decker will not face charges from the February 12 shooting of Sahlah Ridgeway.
A grand jury cleared the two officers Wednesday.
"In my judgment, it was a full, fair, balanced presentation of all cooperating witnesses, including an expert witness, who is an expert, internationally recognized expert, regarding police use of force," Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said.
Prosecutors released video of the incident Wednesday. Fitzpatrick said Ettinger and Decker responded to a drug complaint on 1313 Butternut Street. Officer Decker went to the back of the building and was confronted by Sahlah Ridgeway, who held a sawed-off-shotgun. Fitzpatrick said Ridgeway fled toward the front of the building near Officer Ettinger. Both officers told Ridgeway to lower her weapon. When she did not and instead turned the gun toward Decker, Ettinger shot her twice. She later died from her injuries.
"I can't speculate as to why she didn't just drop the gun," Fitzpatrick said. "She'd be alive today if she had. It's by the grace of god that Officer Decker is able to still serve us."
Fitzpatrick said social media speculation has spread misinformation about the case.
"As you have the entire tape, you'll see the officers treating her very respectfully, obviously concerned about her welfare, and not in any way dragging her through the snow to the ambulance," he said.
Fitzpatrick also said the lethal action was necessary in the case.
Fitzpatrick spoke with Ridgeway's mother and says she is distraught at the decision. He said she's hired a civil attorney in the case.