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Ward, who was armed with a loaded handgun, was shot by an officer after he pointed the weapon at law enforcement during a confrontation on Sunday, Nov. 3, according to the DA’s findings.
Incident Overview
Ward had been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) around 10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, with a reported blood alcohol concentration of .229. During the arrest, Ward resisted and became uncooperative, resulting in minor property damage to his sunglasses. He was processed and released to his spouse around 11 p.m.
Hours later, at 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 3, Ward returned to the police station seeking a missing piece of his damaged sunglasses. He used the station’s phone to call County 911, requesting assistance.
Fatal Confrontation
An officer, accompanied by a civilian ride-along, encountered Ward outside the station and attempted to de-escalate the situation. Ward, described as visibly intoxicated and agitated, refused repeated commands and displayed signs of impairment. After more than eight minutes, the officer called for backup, and a second officer arrived.
During the confrontation, Ward lifted his sweatshirt, revealing a handgun. When he reached for the weapon, the officer dropped their Taser, drew their firearm, and announced "gun." Ward then pulled the gun from his waistband and pointed it at the officers, leading Officer #1 to fire eight rounds. Officer #2 deployed a Taser, which struck Ward’s left hand. Ward was struck four to five times in his leg, torso, hip, and wrist and succumbed to his injuries despite immediate life-saving measures.
Weapons Recovered
In addition to the loaded handgun Ward brandished, officers found a loaded M4-style semi-automatic rifle, two additional loaded handguns, and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition in the vehicle Ward drove to the station.
DA’s Determination
Body-worn camera footage confirmed that Ward pointed the weapon at the officers. DA Heather Adams concluded that the officer’s use of deadly force was legally justified, citing that Ward’s actions posed a clear threat to those present.
“The law is clear that police officers have no duty to retreat from making an arrest,” Adams said. “In this case, the officer recognized that a deadly weapon had been introduced and acted quickly to protect their own life and the lives of two others.”
The DA’s Office expressed gratitude to the Pennsylvania State Police for their assistance in the investigation.
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