Murder charge dismissed against Oklahoma officer in shooting

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A judge has dismissed a murder charge against a suburban Oklahoma City police officer who fatally shot a man who refused to drop a baseball bat as he approached the officer. The judge on Thursday ruled that prosecutors did not present evidence that The Village officer Chance Avery committed a crime in the fatal 2020 shooting death of Christopher Poor.

District Attorney David Prater said the ruling will be appealed.

Police say Avery was called to Poor’s home by Poor’s wife, who was retrieving personal belongings, when Poor ran into the home carrying the bat and was shot by Avery after Poor refused to drop the bat.