The Associated Press
READING, Pa. — A police officer shot and killed an armed man following several reported carjacking attempts, investigators said.
Police received several calls that a man was pointing a gun at motorists and trying to steal their vehicles, police said. Officers arriving at about 7 a.m. Sunday ordered the man to put down the gun, but he began to walk toward them, waving the weapon, police said.
Officer Jeffrey S. Parr fired one round at the man, who was pronounced dead by a member of the coroner’s office at 10 a.m. An autopsy was scheduled Monday. The name of the 26-year-old man was not released pending notification of his family.
Police Chief William M. Heim said he believed Parr acted correctly.
“Based on all the information I have at this point, the officer acted in accordance with policy and protocol,” Heim said. “It appears he did everything he could do to get the suspect to surrender.”
“This person was a real threat to the health and safety of the neighborhood,” Mayor Tom McMahon said. District Attorney Mark C. Baldwin declined comment on the case.
Parr will be placed on administrative leave pending an investigation, as is standard procedure when an officer fires his weapon.
The fatal shooting is the fourth involving law enforcement personnel in the city in 10 months.