AUGUSTA, Ga. () – The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said a deputy in the officer-involved shooting in front of Glenn Hills Middle School on March 13 was justified in his actions following an independent review.

RCSO stated Deputy David S. Hopkins, who was placed on paid administrative leave on March 14, “acted lawfully and within policy during last week’s officer-involved shooting.” In a press release on Monday, RCSO released a clearance letter from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office’s Regional Force Investigation.

“The use of deadly force was justified under O.C.G.A. 16-3-21. The investigation has revealed that Deputy David Hopkins did not violate the Official Criminal Code of Georgia,” the letter from Columbia County Sheriff’s Office states.

RCSO said it plans to release a full video of the incident on Tuesday, March 18 in an effort to show transparency.