LANCASTER, PA – On August 6, an officer-involved shooting took place in the City of Lancaster, resulting in the death of a 17-year-old juvenile, Darron Shaw. Officers, responding to a burglary in progress, fatally shot Shaw as he exited a residence on West New Street, brandishing a loaded semi-automatic ghost gun.
The incident began when a resident was alerted by a home security system of an intruder. As she contacted her 14-year-old son, instructing him to wait on the roof for police, she then dialed 911. Surveillance footage showed Shaw maneuvering a camera outside the house and later moving inside the kitchen area.
Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams, after reviewing the case, including body-worn camera footage from the responding officers, concluded that the use of force by the two officers was legally justified.
The video evidence showed Shaw, upon exiting the house, pointing the firearm directly at the officers. Despite being given verbal commands to drop the weapon, he failed to comply, resulting in officers discharging their firearms.
Shaw was struck multiple times and managed to travel approximately 102 feet before collapsing. He later succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital. The Lancaster County Coroner confirmed the cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds.
