The fatal shooting of 20-year-old Xavier Arnold, of Coplay, by an Allentown police officer was "unquestionably justified," Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin said Thursday. Contact me at Katd@lehighvalleynews.com or 610-984-8126. April 21, 2021, 7:19 AM. He was pronounced dead 30 minutes after the assault at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest, according to Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio. Struss attempted to follow Arnold in his vehicle, driving against one-way traffic on Eighth Street, before parking at Eighth and Linden streets and giving chase on foot. 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While other officers arrived almost immediately, no other officers fired during the exchange, Martin said. Police Officer Justified in Deadly Shooting of Man in Allentown, DA Says "After a thorough review of the relevant facts and the law, I have no hesitation in concluding that the actions of Officer . The office of. Martin said the investigation showed Arnold presented an imminent risk of death or serious bodily injury to himself and to others and the facts of the case unequivocally prove that Struss was justified, saying Arnolds conduct created the circumstances for his own demise.. / CBS Philadelphia. I also penned the popular Road Warrior column at The Morning Call, keeping readers up to speed on transportation news. 's office said was cleaning two 9mm handguns. One of the men, who investigators identified as Arnold, saw the officers and started jogging away, according to officials. Investigators recovered a 9mm Glock semi-automatic handgun from Arnold's left hand, Martin said. Local media reported a large police presence at a Wawa grocery and gas station outside Allentown, Pennsylvania on Wednesday morning. In my free time, I love to travel, read and hang out with my rescue dog, Dobby. You have permission to edit this article. The coroner identified her as Blessing Taveras from North Whitehall Township. Anyone with information that could help investigators is asked to call Allentown police detectives at 610-437-7721 or the general police desk at 610-437-7753. According to police, officers began chasing the suspect. Martin said he was not legally allowed to possess a firearm. 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I also received the Gitelson Award for Human Values for my work raising awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. Error! Arnold fired four times, and a a bullet struck the officer once, Martin said. Investigators still haven't determined who fired first, according to Martin. Success! The Morning Call. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A shooting investigation is underway after police say a 28-year-old woman was shot and killed, and a man injured in Allentown Sunday morning. "At no point did Arnold drop his gun; at no point did Arnold raise his hands or arms to indicate surrender; at no point did Arnold in any way comply with Struss' commands," Martin wrote. September 27, 2022 at 12:00 a.m. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A convicted felon has been arrested and charged in the shooting of a man in Allentown. How to do some spring cleaning on your smartphone, What the Tech? Value of cutting back on your screen time, What the Tech? This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Lehigh County District Attorney James B. Martin, in a letter dated March 1, ruled an Allentown police officer who shot and killed a gun-carrying man who fired at him four times, was justified in the shooting. Cosmetology students keeping busy at CCTI, State trooper, Seuss book hits at library, More details revealed in items seized from Monroe Co. murder suspects home, Lansford man charged with hiding explosive in luggage at LVIA, FBI catches wanted person in Lansford raid, Three people killed in 5-vehicle Monroe County crash, Palmerton considers plans to curb vandalism. Details remain limited at this time, but we know four people were shot. The 24-year-old, who the D.A. Martin said Arnold was not legally permitted to possess a gun due to his prior criminal record. "While a case can be made that the guns should have been placed into a lock box which was available, the investigation has disclosed that the owner did not want the boys to even see the guns and he made a good faith effort to hurriedly hide them. He said there is no basis to file any criminal charges and has closed the case. Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com, More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23, fatal shooting of a 20-year-old man that occurred during an exchange of gunfire. Shortly after a gunshot was heard and the 11-year-old boy was discovered with an injury from a gunshot wound, per officials. Please enter valid email address to continue. Struss remains on leave. 4 adults shot at Allentown Recreation Center, authorities say. It all began when the two boys and their family unexpectedly stopped at a relative's home in the 600 block of North Front Street. Olive oil in coffee? WHITEHALL, Pa. (AP) Prosecutors say a suspect will face another homicide charge following the death of a second person following a shooting in the parking lot of a Walmart store in eastern Pennsylvania last month that killed a woman. Explosives recovered from a home were detonated as part of routine training, the Allentown Fire Department reports. I am a digital news content producer for LehighValleyNews.com. Stock Buybacks: A Good Signal or a Waste of Money? ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- Police are investigating a Sunday morning shooting that left a woman dead and a man injured. Blessing Alida Taveras of North Whitehall Township, was pronounced dead at 5:25 a.m. at Lehigh. Police are asking anyone with information to contact them. Martin said the investigation showed Arnold fired four shots, one of them striking Struss and the others striking a passing vehicle, shattering a rear passenger window and damaging a storefront window. Please enter valid email address to continue. She Was Just Found in Puerto Rico, Actor Tom Sizemore, of Saving Private Ryan,' Dies at 61. 2023 FOX Television Stations, from SAT 3:00 AM EST until SAT 11:00 AM EST, Southeastern Burlington County, Coastal Ocean County, Ocean County, from FRI 8:00 PM EST until SAT 4:00 AM EST, Southeastern Burlington County, Coastal Ocean County, Ocean County, from FRI 6:00 PM EST until SAT 3:00 PM EST, Atlantic Coastal Cape May County, Coastal Atlantic County, Delaware Beaches County, from FRI 8:00 PM EST until SAT 3:00 PM EST, Atlantic County, Cape May County, Inland Sussex County, until SAT 4:00 AM EST, Carbon County, Monroe County, from SAT 7:00 AM EST until SAT 3:00 PM EST, Delaware County, Eastern Chester County, Western Chester County, Cumberland County, Gloucester County, Salem County, Kent County, New Castle County. "Unfortunately they were discovered and this tragic event occurred. Lehigh County District Attorney James B. Martin, in a letter dated March 1, ruled an Allentown police officer who shot and killed a gun-carrying man who fired at him four times, was justified in the shooting. The man had. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. "Additionally, I find no improper or questionable conduct by any other officer. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The Lehigh. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin announced his decision Thursday regarding an officer-involved shooting in early February. Martin said while on patrol that night, officers observed a physical altercation between two men and a woman in the 700 block of West Linden Street, and were told by a victim that Arnold had pistol-whipped him before fleeing the scene while armed. They said they believe he was injured during the same shooting and that his injuries are non-life-threatening. Allentown. "Especially since the summer, after 2 a.m. there's a lot of noise, a lot of traffic coming from these lounges," said Konrath. Success! Brisk with west to northwest winds around 10-20mph gusting to 30mph.. Mostly cloudy with less wind, with a few breaks in the clouds overnight. At one point, police had to intervene and remove some members of the public from Wednesday's City Council meeting. Officer Zane Struss was acting to protect himself and members of the community when he exchanged fire with Xavier Arnold on Feb. 10, Martin said. There was a large police presence at the scene as investigators combed the area for evidence. January 2, 2023 / 7:45 AM Allentown police are probing a Sunday night shooting in the city that sent one person to the hospital. Both the woman and man knew Arnold prior to the incident, according to investigators. WFMZ News reported local police and Pennsylvania State Troopers were on scene at the store, and at the nearby Brookside Children's Early . By Graysen Golter. Martin said investigators couldnt tell who fired first; the video shows the men fired nearly simultaneously. The CBS3 Staff is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on CBSPhiladelphia.com. Arnolds conduct alone created the circumstances for his own demise, Martin said. Eagles' WR Zach Pascal Robbed and Assaulted at Gunpoint in Maryland, Police Asking for Public Assistance Finding Person Who Set Fire in Wilmington, Check Your Change! Martin said the officer was "unquestionably justified" in the shooting because Arnold clearly endangered the officer and several other people the night of the incident. Authorities say the two boys did go down to the basement to play video games and their 24-year-old cousin went upstairs to greet other relatives. The investigation by the district attorneys office found Struss was on patrol at Eighth and Linden streets around 8:09 p.m. when he spotted an altercation between two men and a woman. So far, there is no word on any arrests or a motive for the shooting. There were four discharged shell casings from his gun found at the scene. All Rights Reserved. Our journalism needs your support. The officer involved was justified in the shooting of20-year-old Xavier Arnold of Coplay, Martin said in a news conference Thursday afternoon. Copyright 2023 WPVI-TV. The coroner said an autopsy is scheduled for Monday. All rights reserved, he shot and killed an armed man last month. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Struss drove off in pursuit of Arnold but had to continue on foot due to traffic on Eighth Street. "While a case can be made that the guns should have been placed into a lock box, which was available, the investigation has disclosed that the owner did not want the boys to even see the guns and he made a good faith effort to hurriedly hide them," the D.A. Citing the Pennsylvania law Use of Force in Law Enforcement, the district attorney said it applies to a police officer being justified in using deadly force when he reasonably believes such force is necessary to prevent death or serious bodily injury to himself or to another person. Mostly cloudy and drier, but a few scattered rain showers linger early, and perhaps a few snow showers at any point in the Poconos. The victim was found with a gunshot wound not believed to be life-threatening, about 6:55 p.m. Thursday in the city . When he heard the boys arrive upstairs, investigators say he attempted to quickly hide the guns because the boys might be coming down to play video games, as they sometimes did when they visited. An Allentown police officer was justified when he shot and killed an armed man last month, the Lehigh County District Attorney announced. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin announced his decision Thursday regarding an officer-involved shooting in early February. Officials have not identified the child or cousin involved in the incident or said where they are from. How to do some spring cleaning on your smartphone, What the Tech? Stock Buybacks: A Good Signal or a Waste of Money? Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Investigators said Arnold aimed his gun toward Struss who aimed his own weapon back at Arnold. The officer fired multiple times, and shot Arnold four times, according to Martin. Investigators say the 24-year-old's guns were in the basement out of a lock box because they were set aside to be cleaned. The two men can be seen firing multiple times within seconds. The district attorney said Officer Zane Struss acted properly in the shooting that happened on the night of Feb. 10, following a foot chase between the cop and Xavier Arnold, who was pronounced dead on arrival at the Lehigh Valley Hospital. Authorities are continuing to investigate. I received my degree in media and communication and served as managing editor and editor-in-chief of The Muhlenberg Weekly, the colleges student-run newspaper. Allentown police are probing a Sunday night shooting in the city that sent one person to the hospital. and a graduate of Muhlenberg College. The rec center was open for a basketball game at the time of the shooting. The officer involved was justified in the. It happened just after 11 p.m. on the 700 block . I also wrote my senior thesis about class representation in the TV show Love Island. In my free time, I love to cook, read romances, and (very poorly) knit. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The investigators went through multiple reports from Allentown Police, attended Arnold's autopsy and also analyzed video, audio and pictures of the shooting, according to Martin. ALLENTOWN, Pa. Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin announced Thursday a city police officer was justified for fatally shooting a gunman during a foot chase last month. At no point did Arnold drop his gun; at no point did Arnold raise his hands or arms to indicate surrender; at no point did Arnold in any way comply with Strusss commands., Both men took cover using pillars and the wall of an adjacent building, Martin said: As Arnold faced Struss, he raised his gun and pointed it at Struss.