A Jefferson County grand jury has cleared two Watertown police officers and a county sheriff’s deputy of wrongdoing in the fatal Aug. 27 shooting of a woman at the Stewart’s Shop, 1226 Washington St.

District Attorney Cindy F. Intschert released a statement Thursday stating the grand jury concluded the actions of Officers Joshua P. Moran and Christopher R. Aher and Deputy Matthew A. Vaughn “were justified, lawful and appropriate” when they shot 50-year-old Laura J. Pettey outside the store’s entrance.

Mrs. Intschert said the January term of the grand jury investigated the circumstances surrounding the shooting and returned a “no-bill,” meaning there was no evidence to support criminal charges against anyone and closing the matter.

Police said shortly after the incident that Mrs. Pettey made suicidal comments while threatening clerks in the store and told the clerks to call police. When officers arrived, she exited the store brandishing what was found to be a pellet gun.

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