The Nation - News from June 17, 1985

The death of an honor student accused of assaulting a police officer has been ruled a homicide, New York Chief Medical Examiner Elliot Gross said. Edmund Perry, 17, was shot Wednesday by Officer Lee Van Houten, who said he fired in self-defense after an attempted mugging by the youth and a companion. Perry’s family called the killing unwarranted, but police said witnesses supported Van Houten’s account. Gross’ report did not speculate whether the shooting was justified. Perry, who was graduated from high school with honors, was to attend Stanford University.