Prosecutors: Allentown Police Officer Justified In Fatal Shooting Of New Jersey Man
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Authorities say an Allentown police officer was justified in the fatal shooting of a New Jersey man who was firing a gun into the air as he walked down the street. The Lehigh County District Attorney's office issued its finding Tuesday regarding the Aug. 1 shooting in Allentown, when police encountered Andre Leach.
Witnesses said the 27-year-old Paterson man was screaming and waving the gun around.
The officers told Leach to drop the weapon, but he declined and aimed it at them. Allentown officer Samson Wega then fired 22 rounds from his patrol rifle and killed Leach, though authorities haven't said how many shots hit Leach.
Investigators say Leach was under the influence of several drugs,
One officer was treated for a shrapnel injury to his leg.
Copyright 2019 The Associated Press.