Officer Cleared In Shooting Of Ex-Mayor's Relative

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- A Philadelphia police officer has been cleared in the fatal shooting of a great-nephew of former Mayor W. Wilson Goode three years ago.

District Attorney Seth Williams said in a statement Thursday that he carefully reviewed the evidence and determined criminal charges weren't warranted against the officer, Anthony Avery.

Authorities say Avery shot 24-year-old Timothy Goode during a foot chase in the city's Germantown section around 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 11, 2008.

Goode's relatives say he was shot in the back and have sued the city and the police department.

Investigators say Goode had been involved in a drug deal and was being observed by narcotics officers. Authorities have said the officer fired after Goode aimed a gun at police.

Wilson Goode served as Philadelphia mayor from 1984 to 1992.

(© 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed)