COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a male student will not be charged in connection with a fight at a western Iowa high school that led to the death of a 17-year-old student.

Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber said at a Wednesday news conference that the 16-year-old student used legally justifiable force in responding to a fight initiated by Dakota Escritt.

Wilber said Dakota died days after a Sept. 25 fight at Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs. An autopsy shows he had bleeding in the brain caused by a fractured skull. His head hit the school floor after the other student punched Dakota.

The Associated Press generally does not identify juveniles accused of crimes. The student was initially charged with assault in the case. That charge has been dropped.