UPDATE: The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia has revealed that it intends to sue Weirton Police and the West Virginia State Police for refusing to comply with part of a freedom of information request related to Ronald D. Williams Jr.'s shooting. "During the course of looking into the incident, it was brought to our attention by Mr. Mader that he was terminated for trying to deescalate the situation," said the organization's interim executive director, Jeff Martin, in a press release. "This is unacceptable." He said that the organization would be filing a new freedom of information request for records and documents about Mader's termination. Officials in a West Virginia city are disputing an allegation that a police officer was fired for not shooting a man. Stephen Mader, who used to work as a cop in Weirton, opted not to shoot an armed man back in May and talk him down instead, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The 25-year-old told the outlet that Ronald D. Williams Jr.'s gun was pointed at the ground, but that the suspect was daring Mader to shoot him. When two other cops arrived on scene, one of them fatally shot Williams after he waved his weapon, which turned out to be unloaded, at them.

Stephen Mader (centre) was let go a month after he opted not to shoot a man. (Photo: Weirton West Virginia/Facebook) An investigation found the shooting was justified, and a month later, Mader was let go from his job. He said he was told in a letter that he "failed to eliminate a threat." But Weirton officials denied the implication that Mader was fired because of his role in Williams' shooting, saying his termination revolved around three incidents. “This officer was afforded every opportunity,” said Police Chief Rob Alexander Tuesday, according to the Weirton Daily Times. In a press release obtained by WTOV, officials alleged that not only did Mader not de-escalate the situation involving Williams, but did the opposite by cursing at him before a weapon was drawn. An investigation also found that Mader "froze" on scene and didn't communicate with the other cops. 2016 Sept 13 Press Release - City of Weirton by Anonymous H0fqgzm on Scribd