The 17th Judicial District attorney ruled that a Broomfield Police Department officer who shot and killed a man who allegedly approached the officer with a sharp object used a justifiable amount of force. 

17th Judicial District Attorney Brian Mason announced in a decision letter Tuesday that the officer — Shane Mortenson — involved with the shooting of 44-year-old Frank Powels on Jan. 10 will not face any charges. The officer’s use-of-force was justified under Colorado law that says “police officers, like any other individual, have the right to defend themselves or others from the use or imminent use of unlawful physical force,” Mason said in his letter to Broomfield police.

The incident began around 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 10 at an apartment complex at 780 Burbank Street. The department received multiple 911 calls reporting a domestic violence incident. 

The victim, unnamed in the letter, said she needed immediate help Jan. 10 and that her mother was fighting her ex-boyfriend, Powels, outside. 

Dispatched aired a message to responding police that the suspect had committed “felony assault charges,” according to the letter.