Evansville officer cleared in man's shooting during struggle

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) - Police officials in Evansville have ruled that an officer was justified in shooting a man after they say he punched another officer and tried to take his gun.

Evansville police Capt. Andy Chandler says the shooting was in self-defense and both officers have been cleared of wrongdoing for the Jan. 15 shooting in which 47-year-old Vincent Bufkin suffered a shoulder wound. The Evansville Courier & Press reports both have returned to regular duty.

Police say the officers had responded to a call to a home about a man who had assaulted a resident when the confrontation with Bufkin happened.

Prosecutors have charged Bufkin with felony charges of trying to disarm an officer and battery against an officer. He remained jailed Friday and has pleaded not guilty in court.

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Information from: Evansville Courier & Press, http://www.courierpress.com