Allentown, PA – An Allentown man is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after police say an attempted robbery at knife point led a victim to fire a gun in self-defense Thursday morning in the city, according to the Allentown Police Department.
Jonathan Mark Brown, 38, of Allentown, has been charged with robbery, aggravated assault, simple assault, and terroristic threats following the incident, which occurred around 11:29 a.m. near the intersection of 2nd and Linden streets. The case is being handled by the Allentown Police Department’s Patrol Division and Criminal Investigations Division, which determined the shooting occurred during an alleged robbery attempt.
Investigation details and response
Officers responded to reports of shots fired in the area and initially detained two men at the scene as they worked to secure the situation and gather information. The incident prompted a rapid police response in a populated part of the city, raising immediate public safety concerns.
As the investigation progressed, detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division determined that Brown allegedly attempted to rob the victim at knife point, demanding U.S. currency. In response, the victim fired a single shot in an effort to stop the robbery attempt.
Police did not report any injuries resulting from the gunfire, and the circumstances surrounding the shooting were reviewed as part of the broader investigation.
Charges filed in connection with incident
Following the investigation, Brown was formally charged with robbery, a felony; aggravated assault, a felony; simple assault, a misdemeanor; and terroristic threats, a misdemeanor. Authorities have not released additional details regarding his custody status or upcoming court proceedings.
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Key Points
• Jonathan Mark Brown, 38, charged after attempted robbery in Allentown
• Incident occurred near 2nd and Linden streets and involved a firearm discharge
• Police say victim fired one shot to stop alleged knife-point robbery
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Case status
The Allentown Police Department stated there will be no further comment at this time regarding the investigation.
As with all criminal cases, the charges filed are accusations, and Brown is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
