Aurora Police Officer Cleared In Accidental Shooting

An Aurora police officer who slipped and accidently shot a car theft suspect during a foot chase has been cleared of any wrongdoing.

Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey ruled that Officer David Musgrave did not intentionally shoot Christopher Padilla and the officer committed no crime.

The officer was part of a team pursuing a group of alleged car thieves on Dec. 17.

After finding a stolen vehicle in a parking lot, one of the suspects fled in another car, then crashed it into a snowbank. Padilla was shot after he jumped out and ran. Investigators say the officer radioed that he unintentionally shot Padilla.

Because the shooting happened in Denver, the Denver Police Department handled the investigation. An attorney for Padilla did not return a phone call Thursday for comment.