JOHNSONBURG – The Pennsylvania State Police, Troop C, Major Case Team, in conjunction with the Elk County District Attorneys’ office, is currently investigating a reported officer-involved shooting, which occurred in Johnsonburg Borough.
According to a news release issued by state police, shortly after midnight Tuesday, a uniformed police officer who is employed by the Johnsonburg Borough Police Department encountered a 30-year-old man pursuant to a warrant along the 100 block of West Center Street.
The man allegedly physically resisted the veteran officer’s attempt to take him into custody and fought with him for several minutes. The officer was unable to gain control of the man.
“The fight escalated to a level where the officer fired one round from his sidearm, striking the suspect,” state police say.
Responding back-up officers from the Ridgway Borough and St. Marys City police and the Ridgway-based state police arrived at the scene, detained the man and provided him with medical care until emergency medical services could assume treatment.
“The suspect was treated locally for a gunshot wound to the torso and subsequently transferred to a trauma hospital, where he remains in stable condition,” state police say.
State police added that no danger exists to the public. The involved officer has been placed on administrative leave, pending the investigation, per Johnsonburg Borough Police Department policy.
The Elk County District Attorney will review all facets of the state police investigation into the shooting to determine if the use of force was justified in this case and the appropriateness of filing any charges.