Lance Livengood, 36, was streaming on Facebook Live and displaying erratic behavior while threatening his own life, prompting Hellam Township Police officers to respond to the 10 block of Wilton Circle around 9:59 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18, police said. Livengood was allegedly armed with multiple firearms and brandished them in the officers' direction, according to the release.
After multiple unsuccessful attempts to communicate with Livengood inside the residence, officers saw him on the livestream holding a loaded shotgun, investigators said. He later appeared at the front door and pointed the weapon at officers, ignoring repeated commands to drop it, authorities added.
Officers fired their weapons, striking Livengood multiple times, police said. They immediately administered life-saving measures until EMS arrived. Livengood was taken to a nearby hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
Affidavit of Probable Cause Details
Officers from Hellam Township Police Department were dispatched to Livengood’s residence after multiple callers reported his erratic behavior during a Facebook Live video, according to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by Daily Voice on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Livengood was seen talking irrationally and displaying both a shotgun and a handgun during the livestream, police said. Attempts to contact him via phone and in person were unsuccessful.
Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. Vankuren observed Livengood’s livestream, noting that Livengood claimed to have aimed a ".308" rifle at an officer’s head. Shortly before noon, Livengood repositioned the camera toward his front door, picked up a shotgun, and said he intended to point it at officers again, according to the affidavit.
Livengood then appeared at the door with the shotgun and assumed a shooting stance while aiming the weapon at officers. Police repeatedly ordered him to drop the gun, which he ignored. Officers fired at Livengood after approximately seven seconds, striking him. Body-worn camera footage corroborated the sequence of events, including Livengood’s refusal to comply and the moments leading up to the shooting.
While being transported for medical treatment, Livengood reportedly continued to act erratically, slapping a phone out of an EMS worker’s hand and attempting to bite personnel rendering aid, according to investigators.
His Facebook History
Livegood's last public livestream still available at the time of publishing showed him watching stars — or what he claimed to be drones — over the Susquehanna River on Friday, Jan. 17.
In many of his previous posts, he mentioned God, church, and Bible quotes.
On Jan. 16, he posted screenshots of an email to Hempfield School District officials about sex offenders living near an elementary school.
The school district responded with details about Megan's Law notifications and told him to contact the Pennsylvania State Police if he had questions.
His Facebook profile at the time of publishing reads is a screenshot of a previous Facebook post on Jan. 14 reading:
"Doctors are starting to come out claiming thatusing nicotine patches and consuming food gradehydrogen peroxide CURES ALL DISEASESINCLUDING CANCER!!!The Gov't is doing it's best to suppress and censorthis news!!!The Gov't is doing it's best to suppress andcensor this news!!!Now that actually sounds crazy, but it has beenverified by several licensed Doctors, the main oneisM.D. , N.D. Antonio Jimenez. He is the Founder,Medical Officer at Hope4Cancer!!!!"
His Intro/Bio states that he is a "Founder/Worship Leader at TrueChurch" and he "works at Conestoga Memorial Park."
Additional details about his recent background that could show his state of mind before the incident, and the video in question, appear to have been removed or private.
The Charges
The Pennsylvania State Police's Troop J Major Case Team, in collaboration with York County District Attorney’s Office investigators, conducted an extensive investigation at the scene. Livengood was charged with multiple felony counts of aggravated assault, as well as simple assault, reckless endangerment, and terroristic threats, police said. The charges were filed through District Court 19-3-11.
York County District Attorney Tim Barker reviewed evidence, including video footage, and concluded that the officers acted justifiably in using deadly force. “The officers discharged their firearms solely when Livengood posed a clear, present, and imminent danger of causing death or serious bodily injury to law enforcement,” Barker said in a statement.
Barker commended the swift and thorough response of all law enforcement and emergency responders involved in the case, adding that any inquiry into the conduct of the officers has been officially closed.
Livengood remains in the Lancaster County Prison after being denied bail as "THE COURT BELIEVES THE PROOF IS EVIDENT," as stated in his court docket following his preliminary arraignment before Judge Joseph Spadaccino at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
His preliminary hearing is set before Magisterial District Judge Robert A. Eckenrode at 9 a.m. on Feb. 4.
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