Chesterfield SWAT officer cleared of shooting man in standoff
After a three-month internal investigation, Chesterfield County Police said that a SWAT officer was justified in shooting a man who fired on police at his apartment complex.
Brett M. Rivers, 36, died after a 2 ½ hour standoff with police Aug. 31. The investigation into the shooting determined that Rivers had fired shots from a revolver at an apartment complex employee, then returned to his apartment and fired again, according to a news release. Police arrived, evacuated residents, and tried negotiating with him. He fired through a sliding glass door at an officer, then fired several shots through his front door. Then he left his home and fired at SWAT officers, police said.
One SWAT officer shot Rivers, who died the next day at VCU Medical Center.
"The officer responded appropriately, and not only was the use of force clearly justified, it was necessary to protect police officers as well as apartment complex residents," Commonwealth's Attorney William W. Davenport said.
The officer has since returned to full duty.
-- Chris I. Young
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Reader Reactions
Thank God the Chesterfield Police do their job in keeping me and my family safe from violence. Amazes me how many of my fellow citizens are upset about potential cuts in school funding and libraries. They had better start thinking about what really matters in life. Chesterfield schools have been over-spending on extravagant buildings and a bloated administration for years and sorry we can do without free library babysitting and internet surfing for a while.
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