DA Drops Charges Against Teen Injured In Police Shooting

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Officials in Albany say they will not prosecute a teen who was shot by a police officer during a chase and paralyzed from the chest down.

Albany County District Attorney David Soares said Tuesday while there may be a credible case, the punishment of Ellazar Williams "is not in anyone's best interest."

Williams was shot by Detective James Olsen Aug. 20 after police say the 19-year-old ran after a disturbance at a convenience store.

A grand jury cleared Olsen of criminal wrongdoing in the shooting in December.

Williams faced charges of felony menacing a police officer and misdemeanor weapons possession.

His attorney Steven Sharp says while they are happy the charges were dropped, he is disappointed the decision was not made earlier.