Associated Press
SUNBURY, Pa. (AP) - Police officers were acting appropriately when they shot and killed a 54-year-old drunken driver after he pointed a handgun at them, the Northumberland County District Attorney ruled Monday.
Raymond V. Garner Sr. died on Dec. 13 after leading police on a high-speed chase through Lewisburg and West Chillisquaque Township.
District Attorney Anthony Rosini said the officers fired in self defense after Garner ignored an order to lie on the ground and raised a 9mm pistol as if to shoot.
“This was a very dreadful event, and my sorrow is with the Garner family and the officers involved.” Rosini said. “The officers’ actions in firing on Garner were justified as a result of his pointing a loaded weapon at one of the officers. Officers do not have to wait until someone is killed or wounded to take defensive action.”
Garner’s blood-alcohol content was 0.11 percent when he died, police said. Two loaded handguns were found on his body. A loaded rifle was in his pickup truck.
Authorities said Garner had a history of psychiatric problems and had been prescribed medication for depression, although he was not believed to have been taking the drugs.
Four officers from the Milton and Lewisburg police departments were involved in the shooting.