SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Township police fatally shot a 73-year-old man who they said advanced on them with what appeared to be a rifle Wednesday, authorities said.
It happened around 1 p.m. at a home in the 100 block of North 38th Street, according to a news release from the office of Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan.
The man's name was not released. Police said he suffered long-term health issues and they found a note inside the home after the shooting.
Multiple township officers responded to a 911 call for a man with a gun.
They were confronted by a man with what appeared to be a rifle. The man advanced toward the officers, who gave several commands for him to drop the weapon, Holihan said in the release.
The man refused to drop the weapon. Officers used less-than-lethal force against the man, which did not stop him from advancing toward the officers.
They fired approximately six rounds, resulting in the man’s death. He was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday morning.
Lehigh County Coroner Daniel A. Buglio released a statement on the shooting:
"Please be aware that John Doe has been identified. His family and next of kin were present at the scene and are informed about the death investigation. However, in order to allow the family to grieve privately, I will not be releasing his identity at this time."
Officials did not elaborate on the contents of the note found inside the home.
The case is being investigated by the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, Pennsylvania State Police Forensics Services Unit, South Whitehall Township Police and the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office.
