YORK COUNTY, Pa. — A Spring Grove man is dead after he fired shots at police officers on Friday night.
On the night of Feb. 23, authorities were called to the scene of a domestic violence incident in progress in the 600 block of Colonial Avenue in Spring Garden Township.
Officers were told the incident involved an armed man trying to get inside a home.
According to a news release, authorities encountered Payden Sells, 34, at the scene as he was coming out the front door of the house.
“A Spring Garden Township police officer approached the front door of the residence and requested entrance. Sells tells the officer to back off, and then fired four shotgun blasts from inside the house at the officer as the officer ran across and dove off the porch to take cover from the shooting,” said York County District Attorney, Dave Sunday, at a press conference on Saturday.
Multiple police agencies arrived at the scene shortly, thereafter, including the Pennsylvania State Police, York City Police Department, Springettsbury Township Police Department, York County Regional Police Department, and West York Borough Police Department.
Sells allegedly took his ex-wife upstairs and continued to threaten officers who were attempting to de-escalate the situation.
“The officers engaged Sells in a conversation, which included numerous statements from Sells to them, saying 'I’ve got plenty of ammo,'” Sunday explained.
Police say Sells began shooting a gun in their direction and they returned fire.
“Immediately law enforcement returned fire, striking and killing Sells,” Sunday said.
Police say no civilians or officers suffered gunshot injuries, but one officer suffered a minor injury during the incident.
Sells' cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, according to the York County Coroner's Office.
The Pennsylvania State Police Troop J Major Case Team responded to the scene to investigate and help detectives from the York County District Attorney's Office. The investigation is ongoing.
After reviewing body and Ring camera footage, the DA said Sells killing was justified under the law.
“The shooting death by law enforcement was absolutely necessary in order for officers to neutralize a threat and protect themselves and others from potentially serious bodily injury or death,” Sunday explained.
Officials said all troopers and officers who discharged their duty weapons during the incident will be placed on administrative leave while the DA's office reviews the investigation.