A prosecutor says he won't charge a white northeastern Illinois police officer in the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old black boy last month.
Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim said Thursday that an investigation concluded that Zion police Officer Eric Hill was justified in shooting Justus Howell on April 4.
Authorities say Howell, of Waukegan, met a man to buy a handgun but then tried to steal it and Howell pointed the gun at the man during a scuffle.
They say Hill intervened and chased Howell through yards and an alley, then shot him twice in the back when the teen turned slightly toward him with the gun in his hand.
Nerheim says Hill feared for his life. The shooting prompted complaints of racial bias.
