La Salle police officer indicted for murder in Family Dollar shooting

A grand jury has indicted a La Salle police officer on murder charges in the fatal shooting of a 38-year-old man officers had deemed suspicious who had parked at a Family Dollar store on May 3.

The 19th Judicial District Statutory Grand Jury issued an indictment dated June 23 against La Salle Police Officer Erik Hernandez, according to a statement issued Monday from the office of Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke.

Hernandez fired four shots and killed Juston Reffel, the indictment said. Hernandez was following up on a suspicious vehicle complaint when he and another officer encountered Reffel inside the store, according to what the grand jurors considered.