Denver District Attorney Beth McCann announced Wednesday that her office will not file charges against the Denver police officer who was ambushed in his vehicle and returned fire, killing the shooter.

The officer, identified in a news release as Denver police Corporal David Briggs, was parked in his police SUV outside the Quality Inn at 2601 Zuni St. at about 4 a.m. June 7 when he saw Nicholas Lendrum, 35, walk into the hotel.

Video released after the shooting showed Lendrum exiting the hotel and firing at Briggs through the front passenger-side window.

Briggs was shot three times, all three bullets hitting his ballistic vest, and returned fire, hitting Lendrum three times.

Lendrum was taken to a hospital and died.

“It is clear to me that Corporal Briggs feared for his life and acted entirely in self-defense after Mr. Lendrum’s unprovoked attack,” McCann said. “Had Corporal Briggs not returned fire, it is quite possible that he would not be alive today. For that reason, I find his shooting of Mr. Lendrum to be justified.”

Police said in a news conference when the footage was released they do not know why Lendrum shot at Briggs.

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