FREDONIA – The Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office will not file charges in the officer-involved shooting death last December.
District Attorney Patrick Swanson said George Penev, 23, was shot and killed by Fredonia Police Officer Nathan Scriven on December 10, 2018 during a non-emgerncey medical wellbeing check at 76 Liberty St. in Fredonia.
Swanson said Penev locked himself inside of a bathroom at the residence. Penev was under the influence of LSD, very agitated and violent at the time of the incident, according to Swanson.
The DA said when Officer Scriven arrived at the bathroom door he was met by Penev who chased after the officer.
“Because of Officer Scriven’s quick reaction and self-control he was able to escape down a flight of stairs and outside,” said Swanson during a press conference Friday afternoon. “Mr. Penev chased Officer Scriven out of the residence, across the yard and down the adjacent property’s drive-way before Officer Scriven was left no choice but to fire his duty weapon.”
Officer Scriven then fired two shots at the man who continued towards the officer. The officer then fired two more shots which took down Penev.
“The incident that day highlights the unexpected dangers police officers regularly confront,” said Swanson. “It highlights how a routine call can turn into something far more serious in an instant.”
Scriven was reportedly wearing a body camera at the time of the incident, footage from the body camera was utilized by Swanson’s Office to clear the officer of any wrongdoing.
Swanson said an Erie County, NY Native and SUNY Fredonia College Student, Amanda Bridges, 23, was arrested in connection with the case.
Bridges is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell.
WNYNewsNow will have a separate article later regarding more details of Swanson’s investigation. WNYNewsNow’s Matt Hummel and Justin Gould contributed to this report.
Leave a Reply