A still image from surveillance footage of the fatal shooting of Paul Castaway by a police officer in Denver, Colorado. image from Denver District Attorney
A police officer who shot and killed an a Oglala Sioux man in Denver, Colorado, won't face any charges. District Attorney Mitch Morrissey determined that officer Michael Traudt was justified in shooting Paul Castaway, 35, on July 12. A decision letter said Castaway approached Traudt and another officer while holding a knife. "In this case, Castaway’s decision to turn, confront the officers and deliberately advance toward Officer Truadt, knife in hand, rather than complying with his orders, compelled Officer Traudt to shoot," the letter stated. The letter included still images from surveillance video of the incident. It also included a photo of Lynn Eagle Feather, Castaway's mother, who had called police because she was worried about his well-being. Eagle Feather suffered a knife wound but told officers that she did not need medical assistance. She was worried that her son was going to kill himself, according to a 911 call quoted in the letter. Witnesses confirmed that Castaway threatened to kill himself if officers got close to him. A graphic video posted by Mother Jones shows how the incident unfolded. "I called for help," Eagle Feather told Mother Jones. "I didn't call for a killing. And I can never get my son back." Eagle Feather plans to take legal action against the city. Get the Story:
Denver District Attorney Clears Police in Shooting of Native American Man (The Denver Post 9/14)
Cop who shot, killed Paul Castaway was legally justified, DA decides; Man held knife to his own neck (The Denver Channel 9/14)
No charges filed against Denver officer in shooting death of Paul Castaway (Fox 31 Denver 9/14)
DA Mitch Morrissey releases video showing July shooting at mobile home park (The Denver Post 9/15)
Paul Castaway Family Blasts Decision to Deem Shooting Caught on Video Justified (Westword 9/15)
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