SNOW SHOE – Pennsylvania State Police troopers shot and wounded a man whom they believed was reaching for a weapon after a two-county chase early Thursday morning, according to GantDaily.com news partner WJAC-TV.
The man who hasn’t been identified was shot by troopers near the Snow Shoe rest area along Interstate 80 eastbound in Snow Shoe Township, Centre County. The man, state police said, led them on a chase from Clearfield County into Centre County.
In Centre County, state police deployed stop sticks along the roadway to stop the man’s vehicle at about 7:30 a.m. State police said about 30 minutes earlier, a trooper in Clearfield County attempted to stop the driver who was believed to be in a stolen vehicle.
The chase continued to the area of mile-marker 146, where the man’s vehicle was stopped, state police said. The man then exited his vehicle but ignored the troopers’ commands.
According to state police, the man made a “furtive move” and gave them the impression he was in possession of a weapon. Two troopers subsequently fired at him, hitting him in the arm; however, the man started to run away. At that time, the troopers subdued the man with a Taser.
The man, state police said, was transported to UPMC Altoona, where he was listed in stable condition with injuries that weren’t life-threatening. State police said neither trooper was injured during the incident. The man allegedly stated to troopers that he wanted them to believe he was armed, so that they would shoot and kill him.
There were neither weapons found on the man, nor inside his vehicle, state police said. Further, state police indicated that it’s too early to confirm what charges the man will face as a result of this incident.
WJAC-TV confirmed a search warrant was filed in regards to this incident, and charges could be filed as soon as late Thursday night. The troopers who were involved in the shooting were placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation, state police said.
State police had to restrict traffic for about five hours along I-80 in that area for their investigation.