LANCASTER, Pa. — Note: The video is from Nov. 29
Following an investigation of the incident by members of her office, Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams announced that the three Lancaster Police officers who shot at a suspect during a standoff outside a home on Hershey Avenue on November 29 were justified in doing so.
The suspect, whom Adams identified as William Oneill, "clearly placed the officers in danger of death or serious bodily injury when he fired in the direction of officers, ignored multiple commands to drop his weapon, and repeatedly raised the rifle toward responding officers," Adams said in a statement.
“Arriving officers were met with gunfire by this defendant, and despite being told approximately eight times to drop his weapon, the suspect refused to do so and repeatedly raised the rifle while pointing it in the direction of responding officers,” Adams stated. “The officers’ use of deadly force was entirely and objectively reasonable as they fired in self-defense and in defense of the other officers who were in danger.”
Oneill, 40, of the 100 block of Hershey Avenue, is charged with criminal attempted homicide, aggravated assault, aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer, assault of a law enforcement officer, and persons not to possess a firearm in connection to the incident, Adams said.
Adams said her office's investigation determined:
- The incident began on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, at 4:40 a.m., when officers from the Lancaster City Bureau of Police were dispatched to the Hershey Avenue residence for a request to remove a male who was causing a disturbance.
- During the call, Oneill can be heard in the background stating that he was “going to war.”
- The caller then reports Oneill went outside the residence and was in possession of an AR-15 rifle.
- The caller advises 911 that Oneill shot the weapon outside, then while on the call reports hearing a second shot outside. This second shot occurred as police arrived and can be heard on the 911 call.
- At approximately 4:46 a.m., two officers traveling in the same car arrived at the residence and exited the police car. At that time, they heard what would have been Oneill’s second gunshot.
- A review of the MVR from the police car indicates that when Officers 1 and 2 initially arrive Oneill is on the back porch of the residence. Immediately after Officer 1 exits the driver’s door, Oneill fires the weapon in the direction of the officers.
- Officers 1 and 2 take cover on the passenger side of their cruiser so the vehicle is between themselves and Oneill.
- Oneill then stays on the porch for about 30 seconds before walking off the porch and toward the position of Officers 1 and 2.
- Officer 1 then sees Oneill shoulder the gun in a firing position.
- Officer 1 yells repeated commands to Oneill to drop the gun.
- Oneill does not comply but continues around the house toward the front yard. As he approaches Hershey Avenue, he then focuses on Officer 3 who is approximately 162 feet up the street from Officers 1 and 2. Officer 3 was on foot and behind a parked vehicle.
- Oneill can be seen on Officer 3’s body cam raising the rifle up towards his shoulder and pointing it in the direction of Officer 3.
- Officer 3 also yells repeated commands for Oneill to drop the gun and specifically tells Oneill to “drop the gun or you’re going to get shot.”
- Oneill again starts to raise the rifle to a shooting position and at that time Officer 3 fires upon Oneill as he was fearful for his own life.
- Officers 1 and 2 also fire upon Oneill to protect Officer 3 from serious bodily injury or death.
- Oneill was hit approximately three to four times. Oneill fell to the ground and dropped his weapon.
- After additional officers arrived, officers approached Oneill and rendered aid.
The Lancaster County Forensic team conducted a scene examination and located an empty shell casing in the rear porch area, another empty shell casing in the side yard area, and a live round in the side yard area of the residence, Adams said.
The weapon Oneill possessed during the incident was identified as a Ruger AR-556 rifle. The rifle was loaded with 26 additional rounds and had a live round stuck in the chamber.
"In accordance with internal policy, the District Attorney’s Office will not name the officers as they are not being charged with any crime," Adams said. "Oneill remains hospitalized and is in critical condition. He is pending arraignment on the criminal charges against him and is presumed innocent until proven guilty."