The District Attorney has cleared a deputy who shot and wounded a man in Tehachapi during a keep-the-peace situation.

Gabriel Romo says he fired on 34-year-old Stanley Severi on Cherry Lane in December after Severi reached for his waist while resisting arrest. DA Lisa Green says a social media post made by Severi’s estranged wife in support of her husband actually backed up the deputy’s story that Severi put his hand on his waist.

The Sheriff’s Office has put Romo on paid leave as it reviews the case. Severi is suing the department.

Kelli Forsch