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York County District Attorney says police officer was justified in fatally shooting man at York-area nursing facility Thursday

The Spring Garden Township Police officer shot and killed 32-year-old Zachariah White as he charged the officer with a piece of metal from a wheelchair, Sunday said.

YORK, Pa. — York County District Attorney David Sunday said the Spring Garden Township Police officer who shot and killed a man at Rest Haven York Thursday afternoon was justified in doing so in order to protect himself, residents and staff.

At a press conference Friday afternoon, Sunday said the man shot and killed by the officer, 32-year-old Zachariah White, was behaving erratically, ignoring the officer's requests to comply, and was charging the officer with a metal footrest that he grabbed from a wheelchair when the officer fired two shots, both of which struck White, who was later pronounced dead at WellSpan York Hospital.

Sunday said the entire incident was captured by the officer's body-worn camera.

Pennsylvania State Police and members of the York County District Attorney's Office 

"The facts are obvious and well-documented," Sunday said. "Based on the body cam footage, it's clear and convincing (that the officer's actions were justified)." 

Sunday provided the following timeline of events:

  • At approximately 12:45 p.m., White left WellSpan York Hospital, where he sought and received treatment. Sunday said the details of what type of treatment he requested are not yet clear.
  • White was engaging in "erratic behavior" at WellSpan York Hospital before leaving, Sunday said.
  • White left the hospital, crossed several lanes of traffic on George Street, and followed two people as they entered the front door of Rest Haven York.
  • Once inside, White continued his erratic behavior. Staff at the facility called police at 12:51 p.m.
  • At 12:58 p.m., a Spring Garden Township Police officer arrived at the facility and located White in an office off the facility's main hallway. The officer immediately began verbally attempting to engage White in conversation to de-escalate the situation.
  • White told the officer he did not believe he was actually a police officer and requested the officer call dispatch, which the officer did while assuring White he was a legitimate police officer.
  • White then left the office, ignoring the officer's requests for him to stay in place. White went through two doors and ran down the main hallway into a corridor where patients were housed. The officer followed White while calling for backup.
  • As White continued down the hallway, the officer deployed his Taser device, but it was unsuccessful in stopping White. 
  • The officer then deployed his last Taser cartridge, which struck White and successfully stopped him, giving the officer a chance to try to restrain White with handcuffs.
  • White continued to resist arrest and did not comply with the officer's requests to submit. At one point he grabbed the officer's Taser with his left hand while trying to punch the officer with his closed right hand.
  • White then broke free from the officer and ran down a different residential hallway while the officer followed.
  • White then entered a patient's room, which housed two people who were confined to their beds and a staff member who was caring for them. 
  • After unsuccessfully attempting to exit the room through a window, White turned to the officer, who again tried to verbally de-escalate the situation.
  • White asked the officer for a chance to catch his breath. He then grabbed a metal footrest from a nearby wheelchair, raised it over his head, and charged at the officer while brandishing it.
  • The officer then drew his firearm and fired twice, striking White in the torso. 
  • Emergency personnel attempted life-saving measures at the scene before White was transported to WellSpan York Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

"The officer repeatedly attempted to use verbal de-escalation techniques and non-lethal means to restrain White," Sunday said. "It was only when White charged at the officer that the officer withdrew his firearm. The shooting of White by the officer was absolutely necessary to protect the lives of the officer, the patients, and the staff member."

Sunday said that "certain aspects" of the investigation, including an autopsy and toxicology tests, are ongoing. The investigation is being conducted by State Police, he said.

"I continue to remain in awe of the discipline and bravery displayed by law enforcement officers in situations like this," Sunday said. "Although the shooting was justified, we mourn the loss of life and recognize how these tragic events affect all those involved, including White's family, the officer and his family, the residents and staff members at the facility, and their families. My deepest condolences to out to every single one of them."

Watch the full press conference below: 

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