'No Other Option': Stillwater Cops Won't Be Charged In Deadly Shooting

STILLWATER, MN — Two Stillwater police officers will not be criminally charged after shooting and killing an armed man at an apartment complex in March, Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson announced Thursday.

Magnuson's office said the use of deadly force by Sergeant Dan Young and Officer Justin Dowley was justified in the shooting of 21-year-old O’Kwan Sims.

The determination came after the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension completed its investigation into the shooting. Sims fired at officers several times during the incident, the BCA said.

"The decision to use deadly force is never taken lightly, and we recognize the profound sorrow it brings to the family of Mr. Sims," said Magnuson in a statement.

"In this situation, these officers faced a dangerous, complex, and rapidly evolving scenario. They relied on their extensive training and quick reaction to ensure not only their own safety, but the safety of the community they have sworn to protect."

"These officers really had no other option, and we know they too bear the weight of the loss of life," Magnuson added.

On March 4 at about 2:20 p.m., Stillwater and Oak Park Heights officers and Washington County deputies responded to several 911 calls of a disturbance at 2225 Orleans Street West.

Police learned on the way there that multiple shots had been fired in the building.

Oak Park Heights police officer Lindsey Paradise arrived and radioed that the squad was under fire, investigators said.

Stillwater police officers arrived and spotted Sims standing in the driveway of the apartment complex parking lot holding a pistol with an extended magazine in his hand, according to the BCA.

Officers yelled at Sims to drop the gun, but instead, he ran around the corner of the building where they lost sight of him, authorities said.

Police then heard up to 30 rounds of rapid gunshots. When officers followed, Sims pointed the pistol at them, according to the BCA.

Sergeant Young and Officer Dowley simultaneously fired their weapons at Sims, who was hit three times and fell to the ground.

Sims was given emergency treatment but died at the scene.

Investigators later learned that Sims lived at the apartment with his mother. Earlier that day, Sims shot his mother's friend "for no apparent reason" and continued firing in and outside the complex, authorities said.