Nation Digest
New York police kill 19-year-old; shooting appears unjustified

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NEW YORK — A 19-year-old high-school student who intended to take a rooftop shortcut to a birthday party was shot and killed by a police officer early yesterday at the top of a dark stairwell leading to the roof of a Brooklyn housing project. Police said the shooting appeared to be unjustified.

In a confrontation in which surprise apparently played a role, police said Timothy Stansbury Jr., who was walking up the interior stairs with two friends, and one of two officers on the roof grabbed the knobs on opposite sides of a door atop a four-story building about 1:30 a.m.

As the door flew open, one of the officers, who were patrolling in the dark with their guns drawn, fired one shot, striking Stansbury in the chest. He staggered backward, and as his friends ran, he descended the stairs to the ground floor, where he collapsed, police said.

Stansbury was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said that preliminary indications were that the shooting "was not justified based on information we now know." He said that the officer who fired the shot had been taken off duty, and that his weapon and badge had been taken pending further investigation.

Arizona correctional officer released by hostage-takers

BUCKEYE, Ariz. — One of two correctional officers held hostage by two inmates for nearly a week climbed down from a prison guard tower to safety yesterday.

The guard, a man who was not immediately identified, was taken to a Phoenix hospital after his release. Department of Corrections spokeswoman Cam Hunter said she had no immediate details on his condition but said authorities were encouraged he was able to walk down the ladder on his own.

His release occurred after negotiators delivered an item demanded by the inmates, Hunter said. A second item was delivered as part of the exchange agreement after the hostage was freed.

Negotiators continued to work for the freedom of the other hostage, a woman. The tower is believed to be stocked with weapons.

High-tech thriller wins top honors at Sundance

PARK CITY, Utah — The high-tech thriller "Primer," about two get-rich-quick inventors whose time-travel device complicates their lives, won the top dramatic honor at the Sundance Film Festival.

Sundance jurors gave the documentary grand prize to "DIG!", director Ondi Timoner's portrait of the friendship and rivalry between musicians Anton Newcombe, of the Brian Jonestown Massacre, and Courtney Taylor, of the Dandy Warhols.

Awards were presented last night, with top winners expected to screen one last time today as the 11-day independent-film showcase ends.

Clerk charged with larceny in alleged lottery-ticket theft

WESTBORO, Mass. — A convenience-store clerk has been charged with larceny for allegedly snatching a winning $20,000 lottery ticket from a customer's hand and giving her $100 in return.

Quik Mart clerk Antoine Reiche, 34, was scheduled for arraignment tomorrow.

University of Massachusetts freshman Erika Schmitt, 18, told authorities she bought a $2 Lucky Star lottery ticket Monday night and uncovered 10 stars, winning a $20,000 prize.

Reiche allegedly grabbed the ticket, told her it showed six stars — a $100 prize — and refused to let her see the ticket again.

Also ...

A 16-year-old boy was arrested early Friday after Eminem's mother, Debbie Nelson, was dragged from her car on the Detroit suburban street made infamous by the rapper's movie "8 Mile," police said. ... Customs officials Friday seized $300,000 worth of liquid cocaine disguised as water in a shipment of live tropical fish from Colombia.

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