MARYSVILLE, Pa. — The suspect injured in an officer-involved shooting in Perry County last week has been charged with multiple felonies, including aggravated assault, according to the criminal complaint affidavit filed by State Police.
Zachary Conroy, 41, of Marysville, had already attacked and beaten his father when police arrived on the scene, the charging documents state. He then knocked a Marysville Borough Police officer to the ground and punched him in the face before the officer discharged his weapon, authorities claim in the criminal complaint affidavit.
After he was taken into custody, Conroy was transported to a hospital for treatment of at least one gunshot wound. The officer who shot him, who is identified in charging documents as Marysville Borough Police Officer Andrew Bustin, sustained contusions and abrasions in the alleged attack, including a swollen eye that temporarily affected his vision.
State Police investigated the incident and filed charges against Conroy.
Here is their account of the incident:
- On Oct. 3, Conroy was allegedly involved in a domestic incident with his wife, who contacted Conroy's father to come assist her at the couple's home on the 300 block of Church Street in Marysville.
- At about 7:15 p.m. on Oct. 3, police were dispatched to the 300 block of Cassell Street in Marysville for the report of a fight between two men. Bustin was the first to arrive at the scene, and was told by a witness that a male suspect was beating up an older man and pointed Bustin to the direction of the altercation.
- Bustin exited his patrol car at the scene of the alleged fight and encountered Conroy, who was pacing around the front of a home on Cassell Street. Conroy was wearing blue shorts, with no shirt or shoes. His father, who was the older man involved in the alleged altercation, allegedly warned the officer that Conroy was violent and advised him to stay back.
- Conroy allegedly ignored several commands from Bustin to "get down," and instead approached the officer "in a menacing manner."
- Bustin then deployed his electric stun device, causing Conroy to drop to the ground. Conroy allegedly ignored several commands to place his hands behind his back, and when the officer deactivated the stun gun, Conroy jumped to his feet, pulled out the metal prongs, and attacked Bustin, punching him several times in the face and knocking him to the ground.
- Bustin then drew his duty weapon and fired at Conroy, striking him at least once. Conroy separated himself from the officer and laid down on the street, yelling "I can't die so it doesn't matter."
- The officer managed to get a handcuff on Conroy's right wrist, but Conroy continued resisting arrest, allegedly attempting to bite Bustin as he tried to restrain him.
- At that point, other officers arrived on the scene to assist, some of whom deployed their stun guns to get Conroy to the ground, where he was placed in restraints.
- Police then began treatment of Conroy's gunshot injury.
Conroy is charged with multiple felony counts of aggravated assault, a felony count of evading arrest, and misdemeanor counts of simple assault and resisting arrest, according to the complaint.
He is awaiting a preliminary hearing, according to court records.