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Federal prosecutors announced Friday that they will not pursue criminal civil rights charges against a Kansas police officer who fatally shot a teenager in 2018 during a wellness check.

The Department of Justice's decision comes almost two years after an investigation was opened into the killing of John Albers, 17, whose death in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park reignited the national outcry over police use of excessive force.

"At this time, there is insufficient evidence to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the officer willfully committed a violation of the federal criminal civil rights statute," the Department of Justice said in a statement. "Specifically, the evidence does not clear the high bar that the Supreme Court has set for meeting this standard, and the department has therefore closed its investigation into this matter."

The Overland Park police officer, Clayton Jenison, had been on the force for about two years at the time of the shooting. He eventually agreed to resign — with a $70,000 severance package — despite the fact that Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe had cleared him of wrongdoing.

In making the announcement that no charges would be filed, Howe released dashcam video and said Jenison, who said he feared for his life, was justified in his actions when he opened fire 13 times.

But Albers' parents have long disputed the police department's narrative over what happened, blasting local prosecutors' investigation as being biased and lacking competence.

Despite the lack of federal charges, the Albers family said in a statement that they believe the FBI conducted a "thorough and impartial review."

"The transparency, empathy, and compassion the professionals at DOJ and the FBI exhibited helped us feel supported — and it honored John," the family said. "Again, this was not the treatment we received from our local law enforcement and city leaders, who chose to dishonor our son."

Albers' parents had pushed for files in the case to be made public, which finally happened in April 2021, when the city of Overland Park released a redacted 500-page report along with photos, videos of additional dashcam footage, and an interview conducted with Jenison after the shooting. NBC affiliate KSHB in Kansas City, Missouri, had also sued Overland Park for the release of those investigative files.

The files included social media posts and journal entries in which Albers, a high school junior, appeared to be struggling with mental health issues.

On Jan. 20, 2018, police were called to his home after a friend expressed concern that he may be intoxicated and feeling suicidal, saying he had threatened to stab himself with a knife.

At the time of the call, just before dusk, Albers was home alone while his family had gone out for dinner.

Dashcam videos and a neighbor's security camera showed Jenison and another officer arriving at the home. They stayed for a few minutes outside and did not knock on the front door or identify themselves. Eventually, the garage door of the home swung open, and Jenison unholstered his weapon and moved toward the door as a minivan, which Albers was driving, began to back out slowly and in a straight line.

Jenison reacted, aiming his weapon and yelling, "Stop, stop, stop." Jenison, who was standing to the right of the van, fired twice toward Albers.

In a lawsuit filed by the family against the city and Jenison, the Albers contend that one or both of the bullets struck the teenager, "incapacitating him and rendering him unable to control the minivan."

The files included social media posts and journal entries in which Albers, a high school junior, appeared to be struggling with mental health issues.

On Jan. 20, 2018, police were called to his home after a friend expressed concern that he may be intoxicated and feeling suicidal, saying he had threatened to stab himself with a knife.

At the time of the call, just before dusk, Albers was home alone while his family had gone out for dinner.

Dashcam videos and a neighbor's security camera showed Jenison and another officer arriving at the home. They stayed for a few minutes outside and did not knock on the front door or identify themselves. Eventually, the garage door of the home swung open, and Jenison unholstered his weapon and moved toward the door as a minivan, which Albers was driving, began to back out slowly and in a straight line.

Jenison reacted, aiming his weapon and yelling, "Stop, stop, stop." Jenison, who was standing to the right of the van, fired twice toward Albers.

In a lawsuit filed by the family against the city and Jenison, the Albers contend that one or both of the bullets struck the teenager, "incapacitating him and rendering him unable to control the minivan."

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