Police officer who fatally shot man in Aldan, Pennsylvania, was justified, DA says
An Aldan Borough police officer was justified in fatally shooting a 23-year-old man last week, Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse said at a news conference Friday.
A special investigations unit reviewed the evidence and found the officer, who has not been publicly identified, was legally justified in shooting him and had reason to fear for her life, Rouse said.
Rouse described the incident as a failure of the mental health system.
"It is quite clear from the video … the officer's actions were justified that night, not just legally but as a person. They were justified," Rouse said.
The Montgomery County Coroner's Office identified the man as Ugochukwu Ilodigwe, 23. He died from gunshot wounds, the coroner said Friday.
Ilodigwe "immediately began attacking" the officer with a 12-inch kitchen knife when they encountered each other, he said. The officer had reason to believe he meant to cause her "life-threatening bodily harm," Rouse said.
Body camera shows the officer using a Taser on Ilodigwe. Rouse said Ilodigwe reached for the knife after that and said he had a gun.
When she encountered Ilodigwe in a residential area near South Clifton and Aldan avenues, the officer was responding to a call from him asking for a courtesy ride, which is a service that the police department provides to residents who need transportation, Rouse said.
Officers immediately started giving medical care and placed a radio call for medics within 5 seconds of the shooting, Rouse said.
"I can't think of a thing in the world that she could have done differently. It is very clear from that video, and it's very clear from the aftermath of this incident she desperately wanted to avoid this situation," Rouse said.
Ilodigwe previously showed signs that he was struggling with mental health, Rouse said.
The officer has been cleared to return to active duty, Aldan Mayor Michael Ceci said.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, call or text the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988. CBS News Philadelphia also has a list of mental health resources.
For more information about mental health care resources and support, The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. ET, at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email info@nami.org.
