Published February 10, 2023
An Allentown, Pennsylvania police officer was shot Friday evening. At approximately 8:10 p.m., Allentown officers on patrol in the downtown business district witnessed an individual being assaulted. As the officers attempted to intervene, the assailant fled on foot, and officers began to follow him on foot. During the foot pursuit, the assailant turned, produced a handgun, and fired at officers. According to a statement from the Lehigh County District Attorney’s office, one of the officers were “struck by a projectile, which penetrated his uniform shirt and nicked his ballistic-resistant vest.” Officers returned fire, striking the assailant. Officers rendered medical aid to the assailant at the scene until he was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he subsequently died from his injuries.
An investigation into the incident is being jointly conducted by the Allentown Police Department, the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, and the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office. The officer struck by the projectile required no further medical treatment.
