MOUNT CLEMENS, MICH. (WWJ) A Sterling Heights Police officer will not face charges in a deadly officer-involved shooting that occurred in December.
The Macomb County Sheriff's Office concluded its independent investigation and determined the "use of force in this incident was justified" and there is "no evidence to support criminal charges," it said in a statement.
The officer-involved shooting occurred on December 3rd, at a condominium on Apple Blossom Drive in the area of M-59 and Ryan Road. Sheriffs' officials said initial findings suggest Sterling Heights Police were called to the home of Nicolas Quaranta, 54, for a welfare check while he was in the midst of a mental health crisis.
Authorities said responding officers and crisis negotiators communicated with him for "more than one hour" while he was armed. At one point, Quaranta allegedly climbed to the top of the stairs and refused the officers' demands that he come down and exit the condominium.
"Mr. Quaranta then stood up, bent over, retrieved his firearm and raised it toward officers, at which point an officer discharged his weapon," the Macomb County Sheriff's Office press release read.
Paramedics pronounced Quaranta dead at the scene-- despite an immediate call for medical assistance and aid rendered.
The Macomb County Sheriff's Office also said in their statement: "the force utilized by the Sterling Heights Police Officer conforms to Michigan law, as well as applicable agency policy, standards and guidelines."
The Macomb County Sheriff's Office has officially closed its investigation.
