LA MESA, Calif. (KGTV) — Weeks after the county's District Attorney said it would not bring criminal charges against a La Mesa officer who shot a protester in the face with a beanbag round, the officer's department says it will not take any disciplinary actions.
La Mesa Police said the actions of Detective Eric Knudson "did not warrant imposing discipline," based on the circumstances and an independent review by an expert in the use of force and less lethal munitions.
On May 30, Leslie Furcron was struck in the forehead by a beanbag round during a protest outside of LMPD's headquarters. It was later determined that Knudson had fired the beanbag round.
RELATED: San Diego County DA: No criminal liability against La Mesa officer who shot protester with beanbag
Furcron suffered severe injuries from the beanbag round and was hospitalized following the incident. She was later released from the hospital in June.
The decision comes weeks after the county DA found that, "amid the violent riot that had broken out and the attacks on Sheriff’s deputies and officers, Knudson was acting in defense of others and himself when he fired the beanbag round. Under the totality of the circumstances and analysis of the law, Knudson therefore bears no state criminal liability for his actions."
The is currently a lawsuit against Knudson and the City of La Mesa on behalf of Furcron seeking civil liability related to Furcron's injuries.
