VENTURA : Board Says Officer Acted Reasonably
A Ventura police review board has determined that an officer who shot and killed a knife-wielding 21-year-old man acted reasonably and within the bounds of department policy.
Officer Colin Patrick fired a single bullet into the upper stomach of Aaron F. Klemm after the Ventura man approached police Dec. 8 with two kitchen knives outside the mobile home park where he lived, a police report said.
Patrick and Officer Fred McGill were responding to a call from Klemm’s girlfriend, who said he “went totally out of control” after a night of heavy drinking, the report said.
When the officers arrived, Klemm was standing near the entrance to the mobile home park, holding the knives. After Klemm moved toward the officers and twice failed to heed their demands to drop the knives, Patrick fired one shot at the man.
A report filed after the incident said Patrick had fired because he feared that his life was in danger.
The complete investigation has been forwarded to the Ventura County district attorney’s office for review.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
