Officer cleared in fatal shooting of Gardner woman

The Johnson County district attorney has ruled that the fatal police shooting of a woman in Gardner earlier this year was justified.

A police officer killed Deanne Choate, 53, on March 26 in a home in the 400 block of North Birch Street.

Police were called to the house night on a report that Choate had fired shots inside. Police said that an officer fired at her after she refused to drop the gun she was holding.

District Attorney Steve Howe said Monday that the officer’s use of force was justified under Kansas law and no charges would be filed.

Tony Rizzo, trizzo@kcstar