Cottage Grove police officer cleared in standoff

COTTAGE GROVE, Minn. (AP) — The Washington County Attorney’s office has cleared a Cottage Grove police officer who shot and wounded a man during a standoff in August.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports the county attorney’s office says 17-year veteran Officer Pat Nickle’s actions “were well within reason and supported by statute.”

Nickle shot a man who authorities say was shooting at police officers and threatening to kill them Aug. 2 in St. Paul Park.

Police initially responded to a report of a suicidal man. When officers arrived, they were met by gunfire.

The nearly five-hour standoff ended when Nickle, a law enforcement sniper, shot and wounded 22-year-old Nathan Kluessendorf.

Kluessendorf is charged with three counts each of attempted murder of a police officer and use of deadly force against a peace officer.