Police believe the injury to him and the death of the woman happened in the same location on the 1000 block of Union Boulevard. 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. As the two men rounded the corner of Eighth and Maple, Arnold turned and leveled the handgun at Struss, Martin said. You have permission to edit this article. He said there is no basis to file any criminal charges and has closed the case. There was a problem saving your notification. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. By Graysen Golter. An Allentown police officer was justified when he shot and killed an armed man last month, the Lehigh County District Attorney announced. Allentown Police said they responded around 4:15 a.m. to Mamajuana in the 1000 block of Union Boulevard. Officials say the shooting happened around 4:15 a.m. in the 1000 Block of Union Boulevard and rule the woman's death as a homicide. 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. "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. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. ALLENTOWN, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- A tragic series of events led to the fatal shooting of an 11-year-old boy in Allentown, Pennsylvania on Tuesday night, investigators say. Allentown Police said they responded around 4:15 a.m. to Mamajuana in the 1000. Police say the woman,. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - The Lehigh County District Attorney and the Allentown Police Department have released findings from an investigation into the fatal shooting of an 11-year-old boy. An Allentown police officer was justified in last months fatal shooting of a 20-year-old man that occurred during an exchange of gunfire between the two, Lehigh Countys top prosecutor said Thursday. 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. Sign up for NBC Philadelphia newsletters. You have permission to edit this article. Authorities say police were called to the first block of South Perry Street at 7:35 p.m. for reports of shots fired. Martin said Arnold was not legally permitted to possess a gun due to his prior criminal record. The Lehigh County coroner has scheduled an autopsy for Friday morning. 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When he heard his relatives arrive to the home, he quickly attempted to hide the guns because he assumed the boys would come downstairs to play video games as they sometimes did when they visited, officials say. 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. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. According to the Lehigh County Coroner . Lehighvalleylive.com reported that shots were reported fired in the area about 5:15 a.m. near the store on Schantz Road, Upper Macungie Township, according to emergency dispatches. One of the men, later identified as Arnold, started jogging away from officers west on Linden Street, as the the other people involved approached Strusss patrol vehicle. The CBS3 Staff is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on CBSPhiladelphia.com. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. His bullets struck Struss once, struck a passing vehicle, shattering its rear passenger window, and also struck a storefront window on the west side of Eighth Street, shattering it. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Allentown police officer's deadly shooting of Coplay man 'unquestionably justified,' district attorney says News | 3 people killed in Route 33 crash identified, including teenage girl and . As Arnold moved east on Maple Street he stopped running and turned to face Struss, Martin said in a letter outlining the findings of his offices investigation. There is no evidence that any officer discharged his gun, Martin said. The Lehigh County Coroner's Office identified the shooter as Za Uk Lian, 45, of South Whitehall Township. An image shared during a video presentation Thursday, March 2, 2023, in the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office shows damage from a 9mm bullet to the uniform of Allentown police officer Zane Struss, which occurred during an exchange of gunfire Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in the area of Eighth and Maple streets in the city and which left 20-year-old Xavier I. Arnold, of Coplay, dead.Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com. In my free time, I love to travel, read and hang out with my rescue dog, Dobby. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A convicted felon has been arrested and charged in the shooting of a man in Allentown. The Lehigh County District Attorney's Office says Najeer T. Lane was pronounced dead on. ", Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. FOX 29 Philadelphia. I cover all things politics for LehighValleyNews.com. Investigators said Arnold aimed his gun toward Struss who aimed his own weapon back at Arnold. The shots were. / CBS Philadelphia. Mostly cloudy and drier, but a few scattered rain showers linger early, and perhaps a few snow showers at any point in the Poconos. Copyright 2023 WPVI-TV. Allentown police officers within a matter of seconds secured the Glock 9mm handgun Arnold had fired and provided CPR and other emergency treatment, aided by Allentown Emergency Medical Services personnel, Martin said. During the chase, Officer Struss told Arnold to drop his gun, but Arnold refused to comply, investigators said. All rights reserved, he shot and killed an armed man last month. Martin said he was not legally allowed to possess a firearm. Martin said the investigation was unable to determine who fired first, but it appears in the video to be almost simultaneous. New Starbucks line a curiosity in Italy, Nan Goldin is going to the Oscars, and she wants to win, What the Tech? 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. September 27, 2022 at 12:00 a.m. There were four discharged shell casings from his gun found at the scene. Arnold was on active parole for illegal possession of a different firearm at the time of the shooting, according to investigators. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. When Arnold refused to do so, he and Struss fired at each other. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. Authorities say officers responded to a home on the 600 block of N. Front Street in Allentown on Tuesday around 7:25 p.m. The victim was found with a gunshot wound not believed to be life-threatening, about 6:55 p.m. Thursday in the city . Stock Buybacks: A Good Signal or a Waste of Money? The man told Officer Struss that Arnold had just pistol whipped him. Olive oil in coffee? Martin said a chase followed before the shooting in the area of Eighth and Maple streets, where Struss commanded Arnold to drop his gun. Police officers were patrolling the area and spotted what appeared to be a fight involving two men and a woman, Martin said. The 24-year-old, who the D.A. The coroner said an autopsy is scheduled for Monday. ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- Police are investigating a Sunday morning shooting that left a woman dead and a man injured. 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. My conclusion is that this shooting was justified, and there is no basis upon which to file any criminal charges against Officer Struss, District Attorney Jim Martin said in announcing the findings of his offices investigation. Struss drove off in pursuit of Arnold but had to continue on foot due to traffic on Eighth Street. Explosives detonation in Allentown is heard miles away. I also penned the popular Road Warrior column at The Morning Call, keeping readers up to speed on transportation news. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. My passion is telling stories that humanize and empower communities undercovered by the mainstream media. Shortly after a gunshot was heard and the 11-year-old boy was discovered with an injury from a gunshot wound, per officials. I have concluded that Struss fired multiple times. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). The ordeal began on Feb. 10 shortly after 8 p.m. along the 700 block of Linden Street in Allentown. Based on the evidence at the scene and video, I have concluded that Arnold fired four times. He has been with the department about three years, Chief Charles Roca said, and is a relative of former Allentown police Assistant Chief Gail Struss. The bullet that struck the officer, Martin said, penetrated his uniform and damaged his bulletproof vest, but did not cause any physical harm to the officer. The D.A. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Arnold fired four times, and a a bullet struck the officer once, Martin said. Updated: Dec 13, 2021 / 05:31 PM EST. "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. Officer Zane Struss has been on paid leave since the Feb. 10 incident that left Xavier I. Arnold, of Coplay, dead. How to do some spring cleaning on your smartphone, What the Tech? A tragic series of events led to the fatal shooting of an 11-year-old boy in Allentown, Pennsylvania on Tuesday night, investigators say. Authorities say a gunman took his own life after fatally shooting one man who was pumping gas and wounding a second at a convenience store in Eastern Pennsylvania 6:32PM Obituaries The findings of the investigation led by Chief County Detective Lou Tallarico and Detective Daniel Reagan of the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force were inconclusive as to who fired first, Martin said. Explosives recovered from a home were detonated as part of routine training, the Allentown Fire Department reports. This story was updated at 2:50 p.m. with the identity of the man who died of the gunshot wound. Investigators said Arnold fired four shots, shooting Officer Struss once in the abdomen, as well as a passing vehicle and a storefront window on the west side of 8th Street, nearly striking multiple innocent bystanders in the area. I also received the Gitelson Award for Human Values for my work raising awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. ALLENTOWN, LEHIGH COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Police in Allentown are investigating a shooting that left two people dead. ", Do not to buy Raspberry Rally cookies from eBay, Girl Scouts say, Brian Laundrie was 'emotional bully,' Petito family lawsuit says, Pa. woman missing since 1992 found alive in Puerto Rico. January 22, 2023 / 5:16 PM 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. Authorities say . An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Police say the man pulled out a gun and fired at them. By Kurt Bresswein. So far, there is no word on any arrests or a motive for the shooting. ALLENTOWN, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Police in Allentown, Pennsylvania are trying to track down a shooting suspect. He is a graduate of Northwestern Lehigh High School and attended Bucks County Community College. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. "After a thorough review of the relevant facts and the law, I have no hesitation in concluding that the actions of Officer Zane Struss on February 10, 2023, was completely justified," Martin said. There was a large police presence at the scene as investigators combed the area for evidence. CBS3 confirmed the victims were all adults. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, New Jersey Bill Seeks to Ban Sale of Baby Wipes, Pa. Woman Went Missing in 1992 and Declared Dead. The incident happened Tuesday at approximately 7:39 p.m. when Allentown . March 1, 2023 at 2:59 pm Crime and Public Safety Lehigh DA to announce findings on Allentown police-involved shooting that killed Coplay man Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin will. Allentown. It all began when the two boys, their older brother and their parents unexpectedly stopped at a relative's home in the 600 block of North Front Street. 's office said was cleaning two 9mm handguns. 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! Arnold possessed a gun, the DA's office said. Struss can be heard on video surveillance ordering Arnold to drop the gun as he jumped into an alcove of a building. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Tips can also be made anonymously via the Tip411 app or on the Allentown police Facebook page. Olive oil in coffee? She was transported to a hospital, but succumbed to her injuries. Officers found one of the victims on the scene while the others showed up at a nearby hospital. Allentown police cruisers on the 600 block of N Front Street in Allentown. Contact me at SamaraA@lehighvalleynews.com or 610-984-8207. The shots were fired at the East Side Youth Center, located on East Clair Street, around 9 p.m. Sunday. 's office said, and the 11-year-old boy was found to be seriously injured. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Struss gave clear verbal commands for Arnold to drop his gun as the chase continued from Eighth Street onto Maple Street, Martin said. Martin and the countys first assistant district attorney, Gavin Holihan, shared during a news conference Thursday in the DAs office surveillance video captured by both public and private cameras showing the chase and subsequent exchange of gunfire. Both men then fired at each other, investigators said. Police respond to PA gas station shooting: reports. Arnold was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital shortly after his arrival. 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. The woman was identified as Blessing Alida Taveras, 28, of Schnecksville. Officials say the two boys, their older brother and their parents stopped at a home belonging to the father's aunt in Allentown. 15-year-old Allen High School sophomore, JV football player killed in broad daylight shooting near Allentown park. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - The Lehigh County District Attorney and the Allentown Police Department have released findings from an investigation into the fatal shooting of an 11-year-old boy. The two men can be seen firing multiple times within seconds. The man had. One of the men, who investigators identified as Arnold, saw the officers and started jogging away, according to officials. According to police, officers began chasing the suspect. A short time later a gunshot was heard, the D.A. The DA's office has said the officer was wearing a protective vest and was not injured. "We used to feel very safe here on the East Side, but now it's getting to a point where after dark, after 11:00 or 11:30 at night, you tend to close the traipse and make sure that everything is locked up," said Konrath. This is a developing story. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. 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. Martin said a police officer gave Arnold clear commands to drop his gun, but Arnold refused to comply. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Arnold was pronounced dead at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township soon after his arrival, according to the district attorney. While responding officers provided CPR and aid, Martin said, Arnold was likely dead before he hit the ground. 's office said in a statement. There was a problem saving your notification. Struss stopped and yelled repeated commands for Arnold to drop the gun. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Man shot, killed by police in Allentown identified Man killed after police-involved shooting in Allentown Worker pulled from trench collapse released from hospital Company involved in.