A security guard will not be charged in a fatal shooting May 29 outside the Stargate Bar & Nightclub in Maplewood, authorities say.

The Ramsey County attorney's office said in a statement this week that the guard was legally justified in shooting Chou "Tony" Yang, 20, of St. Paul, "after having been knocked to the ground while outnumbered and physically attacked by a number of men."

Police said Yang and at least five other men reportedly chased the 28-year-old guard into the parking lot after the guard apparently asked Yang, who was not yet of drinking age, to leave the nightclub when he or someone on his behalf tried to buy an alcoholic beverage.

After being knocked to the ground, the guard was kicked and punched by the men, authorities say, leading the attorney's office to conclude that it was reasonable for him to fear death or great bodily harm when he shot Yang.

Yang was taken by ambulance to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, where he died several hours later.

No one else was hurt in the incident, police said.

Anthony Lonetree