OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – No criminal charges will be filed against the Fox Valley Metro Police officer who fatally shot a man following a chase last month.
The Outagamie County District Attorney’s Office concluded that officer Sam Pynenberg was justified in using deadly force during a confrontation with 34-year-old Eduard Alexis Lopez-Ucles on September 3rd.
Lopez-Ucles was reportedly under the influence of alcohol and driving erratically prior to the pursuit.
Pynenberg opened fire on after Lopez-Ucles’ vehicle spun out near the intersection of Highways 55 and “OO” and started driving towards multiple law enforcement officers.
Lopez-Ucles was struck in the chest and abdomen area.
Pynenberg says he was standing in the middle of the lane of traffic and yelling verbal commands, but fired when he heard the “tires squeal” and the “revving” of the engine.
Officials say Pynenberg’s belief that he and other officers were in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm was reasonable.
Pynenberg was placed on administrative leave after the shooting, per department policy.
