The California Department of Justice released a report Nov. 6, 2026, concluding there is insufficient evidence to support criminal charges against a Mount Shasta Police Department officer who shot and killed Nicholas Detweiler on Dec. 25, 2023, aboard a southbound Amtrak passenger train.
DOJ’s report recounts that Amtrak personnel called for assistance because Detweiler was brandishing brass knuckles; an MSPD officer boarded the train, woke a man who appeared asleep, and gave commands. The report says the two then struggled, the officer deployed a Taser and baton, Detweiler armed himself with brass knuckles, and after Detweiler spun and raised his arm toward an assistant conductor the officer fired multiple rounds, striking Detweiler and the conductor. Detweiler died; the conductor survived.
After a thorough investigation, DOJ concluded the evidence does not show, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the officer acted without the intent to defend themselves and others from what the officer reasonably believed to be imminent death or serious bodily injury; therefore DOJ said there is insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution and no further action will be taken in the case.
Attorney General said, “The loss of life is always tragic, and we hope that this report provides those personally affected and the greater Mount Shasta community with clarity.”
DOJ identified six policy recommendations for the Mount Shasta Police Department: provide additional training on assessing situations and developing tactical plans prior to contact when feasible; provide additional training on effective use of electronic control devices, including TASERs; amend its de-escalation policy to require de-escalation techniques when feasible, to comply with state law; provide additional training on communication as an effective de-escalation strategy; provide dispatchers additional training on communication with officers responding to armed subjects, especially during low-staffing shifts; and amend policy to require officers to be aware of their backdrop before firing and evaluate training on minimizing risk to bystanders.
DOJ will not pursue criminal charges. The department recommended specific training and policy changes for the Mount Shasta Police Department that the city and department can choose to adopt or reject, and the report is intended to provide transparency for those affected and the wider community.
State
Rob Bonta
Attorney General · Democrat
Named once in this story.
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Sources & methodology
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