In a press conference this 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 (Nathan) 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, 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 today.

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 until he was shot.

See the full story in Saturday’s OBSERVER.