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EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) - A southwestern Illinois prosecutor says a sheriff's deputy was justified in fatally shooting an armed man during a confrontation two months ago.

Madison County State's Attorney Tom Gibbons says the deputy's actions involving 51-year-old Barry Cloninger outside the man's rural Edwardsville home in January were reasonable.

Gibbons says neighbors had called authorities to report the odor of lighter fluid in their home and snowy footprints on their roof, which is easily accessible because the home is built into a hillside. The residents have a wood-burning stove and suspected someone poured the flammable liquid down their chimney.

Gibbons says deputies went to question Cloninger, who refused demands that he drop the shotgun he carried. After being shot by the deputy, Cloninger's body was found behind the home.

Police are looking for three suspects after a promising young boxer was shot and killed outside a University City nightclub around midnight Wednesday night.

The victim, 20 year old Preston Freeman was a north county native who'd been living and training in Salinas, California.

Police say Freeman had been involved in an altercation inside the Escalade Bar and Grill in the 7800 block of Olive before it spilled onto the parking lot. Investigators say Freeman was shot in the chest during a hail of gunfire. His friends drove him to the hospital where he later died.

Three black men were seen fleeing in a maroon Chevy Impala East on Olive. Anyone with information is urged to call University City police at 314-725-2211 ext. 8010 or Crime Stoppers at 866-371-TIPS.