Grand jury clears cop who killed man holding butcher knife

HAMILTON, Ohio – A grand jury has concluded no charges should be filed against an Ohio police officer who fatally shot a man authorities say was charging him with a butcher knife.

Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser (MOH’-zur) said Monday that the grand jury considered evidence including witness accounts and the history of the man who was killed. He says 24-year-old Michael Wilson-Salzl had called in a false report April 22 of shots fired in his apartment complex parking lot in Hamilton.

Police say once an officer arrived, Wilson-Salzl charged at him while wearing a black mask and holding a knife. Police say Wilson-Salzl then refused commands before 17-year Hamilton police officer Steven McFall fired three times.

Gmoser says investigation also found Wilson-Salzl was mentally disturbed, with a history of suicidal attempts.