FOP calls police shooting report 'character assassination'

DOVER, Del. (AP) — The Fraternal Order of Police is accusing Delaware's attorney general of "character assassination" and raw political ambition in his criticism of a Wilmington officer involved in the fatal shooting of an armed man in a wheelchair.

"The Delaware Department of Justice has made its decision, and has issued a detailed, 31-page report along with video, audio and photo evidence clearly explaining what happened on September 23 and the basis for DOJ's decision and recommendations," DOJ spokeswoman Nicole Byers said in an email.

[...] authorities said they considered charging Dellose with felony assault, based upon his decision to immediately confront McDole and fire his shotgun at him instead of communicating with officers already on the scene.

State officials said they hired a former federal prosecutor from Pennsylvania to prepare a possible criminal case against Dellose and consulted with two nationally recognized use-of-force experts who had recommended criminal charges against a Cleveland, Ohio, police officer who fatally shot a 12-year-old boy carrying a pellet gun.