Shooting of teen at fireworks stand justified

Monday, Aug. 4, 2003 | 10:58 a.m.

A Metro Police K-9 officer's shooting of a 16-year-old male who tried to rob a fireworks stand last month was ruled justified by a Clark County coroner's inquest jury Friday.

Robert Johnson was volunteering July 1 at a Metro charity fireworks booth along with his wife, police said, when Efrain Dimas walked up to the booth, pointed a gun at Johnson's wife and demanded money.

Johnson fired six shots at Dimas. The teenager died at the scene.

Just before approaching Johnson, police allege Dimas robbed a nearby church charity fireworks stand.

The inquest jury decided by a vote of 6-1 that the shooting was justified, a spokeswoman for the coroner's office said.

Another inquest is scheduled for Wednesday in connection with a fatal shooting last month of a man who police say tried to commit a carjacking while fleeing from police downtown.

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