Off-duty officer cleared in shooting at in-laws’ house

MIDWEST CITY, Okla. (AP) – The Oklahoma County district attorney has cleared an off-duty Midwest City police officer in the fatal shooting of a man inside the home of the officer’s in-laws.

Police say Lt. Lacky Harkins shot and killed 54-year-old Stephen Ray Brown on July 20 when Harkins was checking on the home in Choctaw while his in-laws were away. Police say Harkins found the front door kicked open and Brown in a bedroom and that Harkins opened fire when Brown began to raise a handgun toward the officer.

District Attorney David Prater wrote in a letter to Police Chief Brandon Clabes that "Harkins was in imminent danger" and was justified in opening fire.

Clabes says Harkins has returned to duty after being on paid leave during the investigation into the shooting.