Grand jury: Wyoming officer justified in killing unarmed man

A grand jury has found that a sheriff’s officer was justified in shooting an unarmed man to death in Wyoming.

Albany County Attorney Peggy Trent said in a news release Thursday jurors decided against indictment of Cpl. Derek Colling for involuntary manslaughter.

Colling shot and killed 39-year-old Robbie Ramirez, of Laramie, during a Nov. 4 traffic stop in Laramie. Video footage showed Ramirez drove off during the stop and Colling shot Ramirez after pursuing him to Ramirez’s apartment.

Relatives say Ramirez had schizoaffective disorder and feared police because past law-enforcement interactions led to his placement in mental-health institutions.

Colling was involved in two deadly shootings that were deemed justified while a police officer in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department fired Colling for beating a man videotaping police.