Law enforcement justified in fatal Cumberland County shooting: DA
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — Law enforcement officers were justified in the fatal shooting of a man in Cumberland County earlier this month, according to Cumberland County District Attorney Seán McCormack.
On March 7, Hampden Township Police had dispatched for a man pointing a gun at his head on the 5000 block of Erbs Bridge Road.
Scene of police activity in Cumberland County Scene of police activity in Cumberland County Scene of police activity in Cumberland County Scene of police activity in Cumberland County
During the investigation, officials say Gregor Flemming, 44, pointed a firearm at officers, which led to the Hampden Township Police officers discharging their firearms.
McCormack says two officers fired two shots each, striking Flemming four times after he pointed a gun at them. Flemming was struck three times in the torso and once in the thigh.
When asked if he believed Flemming was in distress or his intention was to harm officers, McCormack said that part is not clear.
“What I can say is the officers are not in his mind at the moment he’s leveling that handgun at them and threatening them,” said McCormack. “They have a choice to make in that particular moment and their choice in this instance was to protect themselves and their community, and their choice was the right choice.”
Body camera footage from the offer’s uniforms was not available due to the camera being obstructed by officers pressing up against vehicles. McCormack did show video from the officer’s patrol vehicle.
“Where the actor believes that force, in this case deadly force, is necessary for the purpose of protecting himself, or others, against the use of unlawful force by such other person, or persons, then the force is justified,” said McCormack. “In this case the force Gregor Fleming was threatening to use against the officers was the type that was intended to cause death or serious bodily injury to the police and others. Therefore, the Hampden Township Officers were justified in using deadly force to prevent the death or serious bodily injury to themselves and the public.”
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