DA: Pa. Teen Justified In Killing Mother's Abusive Boyfriend

BENTON, Pa. (AP) — A northeastern Pennsylvania prosecutor says a 16-year-old has been cleared of wrongdoing and won't face charges in the fatal shooting last April of his mother's abusive boyfriend.

Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis said Tuesday the teen was justified in using lethal force to stop 32-year-old David Wheeler from beating his mother and attacking him.

Salavantis says state police and county detectives found Wheeler remained aggressive after the Fairmount Township teen, armed with a shotgun, fired a warning shot into the air.

Police say Wheeler threatened to kill the teen and told him: "What are you going to do? Shoot me? Go ahead and shoot me, tough guy."

Wheeler was shot once in the abdomen. He died four days later.

Police say he had a history of domestic abuse.

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