Elko police say fatal shooting may have been self-defense

ELKO, Nev. (AP) - Elko police investigating a homicide over the weekend say it may have been a justifiable case of self-defense.

Police Lt. Rich Genseal says 32-year-old Clinton Hopper was fatally shot Sunday morning in his girlfriend’s apartment.

Genseal says 28-year-old Frank Criswell told detectives he shot Hopper after Hopper came to the door and struck him with a blunt object.

Genseal told the Elko Daily Free Press (https://tinyurl.com/lty8rl3) the two fought, and that the 5-foot-8 Criswell feared for his life as he was beaten and choked by the 6-foot-5 Hopper.

Criswell told police he’d been on a date the night before but didn’t know the woman had a boyfriend.

Genseal says the district attorney will determine whether charges are warranted, but he said a preliminary probe suggests it was a justifiable homicide.

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Information from: Elko Daily Free Press, https://www.elkodaily.com