Fredonia Police Chief Brad Meyers, left, looks on as Chautauqua County District Attorney Patrick Swanson speaks to the media. Photo by Mary Heyl

FREDONIA — The officer who shot and killed a suspect late last year has been officially cleared for his actions.

In a press conference at the Village Hall on Friday afternoon, Chautauqua County District Attorney Patrick Swanson announced the conclusion of his investigation into the police-involved shooting and death of Gueorgui P. Penev on Dec. 10, 2018 on Liberty Street in Fredonia.

“There is no evidence to support any charges against Officer (Nathaniel) Scriven,” Swanson stated. “His actions were both lawful and appropriate. We are closing this case. In addition, what we uncovered has led us to charging the person who sold LSD to Mr. Penev that day.”

Swanson identified the individual charged to be Amanda Bridges of Erie County, a SUNY Fredonia student, who was living at the Liberty Street residence where the shooting took place. “She has been arrested on charges of criminal sale of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell,” Swanson stated. Bridges was arrested Friday morning.

According to Swanson, Penev was suffering from acute intoxication of cocaine and LSD and exhibited an altered mental status with agitated, violent and self-injurious behavior. Neither police, nor first responders from the fire department were aware of Penev’s condition when they arrived at 76 Liberty St.

Police knocked on a bathroom door where Penev was inside and he came out and attempted to attack them with a steak knife measuring 9 inches in length with a four and half inch serrated blade.

Officer Scriven retreated out of the house, repeatedly warning Penev to drop the knife, but Penev, in his altered state, did not stop. “Officer Scriven was left no choice but to fire his duty weapon,” Swanson explained. “When he fired the first two shots, Mr. Penev was just feet away, knife still in hand. Mr. Penev stumbled, but continued to chase the officer, who fired two more shots as Mr. Penev continued to advance. The encounter then ended.”

According to the medical examiner’s report, Penev had multiple large self-inflicted wounds. “The self-inflicted wounds were substantial and I suspect led to the medical examiner’s opinion that, even with surgical intervention immediately, he would have likely succumbed to those injuries,” Swanson stated.

Swanson explained the circumstances leading up to the shooting, as well as Penev’s background. According to Swanson, on Dec. 10, Penev and a female companion traveled to Fredonia from Erie County and were captured on camera traveling through the EZ Pass at the Fredonia thruway exit.

The pair arrived at the Liberty Street residence shortly after 4:30 a.m. and remained there until EMS was called at 1:45 p.m. According to the report, the civilian Swanson later identified as Bridges left at 11 a.m. to attend class at SUNY Fredonia and returned around noon. Shortly after that, Penev began to talk about his friend who committed suicide in August of 2018. During that discussion, Penev became upset. According to the report, Penev acquired a stun gun that was in the residence, put it up to his chest, and began to stun himself repeatedly. Penev then locked himself in a bathroom, and Bridges and the second female called 911 and said their friend was seizing.

Three emergency medical service responders arrived at the scene prior to Scriven’s arrival. According to the report, Scriven activated his body camera while going up the stairs to the bathroom.

Swanson stated that Scriven’s body camera footage was very important to the investigation. “The body camera footage captured 95% of what happened. … The body camera is trained on where Mr. Penev is and it captures almost the entirely of the interaction, which was extremely helpful,” said Swanson.

Swanson explained that most police forces in the county have body-worn cameras and that the Dunkirk Police Department would soon be getting the equipment.

Fredonia Police Chief Brad Meyers added, “I think the body camera was such a valuable tool for us, and I think it has helped Officer Scriven realize that there was no other alternative left than what he chose.” Meyers stated that Scriven went on administrative leave for five to six weeks following the shooting incident, but returned to work thereafter.

Meyers said that his department was not aware of any drug-related activity at 76 Liberty St. at that time, though “there were other houses in that neighborhood that were on our radar that we were addressing the issue with.”

Both Swanson and Meyers said that LSD is not a drug commonly seen in large quantities in the area. “Lately when it comes to illicit drugs, it’s been crystal meth, heroin and cocaine,” said Meyers.

Swanson explained that the four-month-long investigation was conducted in as speedy and thorough a manner as possible. In addition to a toxicology report on Penev, the investigation involved a toxicology examination of suspected drugs recovered from the scene. Swanson said he received both reports last week.

Swanson said he has been in contact with Penev’s family throughout the investigation and recognized the tragedy for all involved. “There is no question that the lives of many were forever altered that day,” he began. “By all accounts, Mr. Penev was a well-liked young man. He had caring parents; he worked for his family business. Nothing in our investigation suggests that his actions that day were consistent with his character. Unfortunately, he was operating under the influence of a number of narcotics that exacerbated his struggle with the loss of a friend in the summer of 2018. His struggle highlights so many who struggle with loss and drug use. His family and friends will forever mourn his passing.”

Swanson continued, “Officer Scriven is a veteran of the police force and respected among his peers. … His life was altered that day simply by responding to a well-being check. The incident that day highlights the unexpected dangers that police officers regularly confront. It highlights how a routine call can turn into something far more serious in an instant. From December 10 forward, Officer Scriven’s life and career are forever different.”