Winona County deputy cleared in fatal shooting

WINONA, Minn. (AP) -- A grand jury has declined to charge a Winona County sheriff's deputy who shot and killed a man last September.

The Winona County grand jury handed down a "no-bill" Wednesday, meaning no crime was committed.

Deputy John Hazelton shot and killed 25-year-old Chase Kolstad in Minnesota City on Sept. 14. Authorities had gone to the area after getting reports that Kolstad may have been suicidal.

Authorities found Kolstad on a bridge where he was pointing a weapon at himself. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says Kolstad then pointed the weapon at officers and was shot.

An assistant Hennepin County attorney handled the grand jury presentation to avoid a conflict of interest.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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