Deadly force justified

In a public report absolving Chico police of any wrongdoing in the shooting death of an armed car burglar Jan. 16, Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said officers "discharged their legal duty" when they fatally shot Luis Diaz, 24, of Hamilton City. Diaz, who may have dropped his gun’s ammunition cartridge during a police foot pursuit in the Enloe Medical Center neighborhood, had only one bullet when he shot Officer Tony Ferreira in the shoulder. After Diaz fired, Ferreira and two fellow officers responded with deadly force, firing 24 rounds, eight of which struck Diaz.