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DA: Man charged with attempted homicide after firing AR-15 at officers

William O'Neill has two previous convictions, which means he's not legally allowed to have a firearm.

LANCASTER, Pa. — Editor's note: The attached video originally aired on Nov. 29.

The Lancaster County District Attorney's Office announced on Saturday that they filed charges against the man involved in Wednesday's officer-involved shooting.

William Joseph O'Neill is facing multiple charges including aggravated assault, assault of a law enforcement officer and attempted homicide.

Police said O'Neill was shot after pointing an AR-15 at officers, shooting in their direction and failing to comply with their demands for him to drop the weapon.

O'Neill, 40, remains in critical, but stable, condition at a local hospital under police guard, officials said

During their examination of the scene, detectives found multiple empty shell casings and a live round.

Police said the specific firearm that O'Neill fired during the incident was a Ruger AR-556 rifle that had a live round stuck in the chamber. 

In 2001, O'Neill was convicted for aggravated assault, and for rape in 2008, which means he's not legally allowed to have a firearm.

District Attorney Heather Adams is still reviewing the incident to make a formal decision about the use of force by police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office at 717-299-8100 and ask to speak with a detective.

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