Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Coal Region Canary
Coal Region CanaryCoal Region Canary

Local News

DEVELOPING: DA Says Pottsville Police Shooting “Justified”

Pottsville Police say two of its officers were involved in a shooting in the 500 block of Mahantongo Street overnight.

According to several TV reports, 32-year-old Jose Cruz is at Lehigh Valley this afternoon. He’s the man shot by police officers around 1 a.m. Friday in this historic area of Pottsville.

Though historic, this particular block of Mahantongo Street has been on a downward slide for the last 20 years or more. This is in the face of millions of dollars of investment by one particular company.

The location of the shooting is right up the street from Yuengling Brewery.

This morning, Mahantongo Street, from 3rd to 7th is blocked and considered a crime scene. People are asked to avoid that area.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1658728627906147

Pottsville Police Shooting

Here’s what we know so far …

Reports of shots fired around 1 a.m. Friday in Pottsville prompt an investigation from police. Officers from Pottsville Police and Pennsylvania State Police responded.

When officers arrive, they encounter Cruz, who is holding a handgun. After a PSP trooper hit Cruz with a taser shot, Cruz flashed his gun toward two officers.

Pottsville Police disable the gunman. Reportedly, the two officers each shot at Cruz.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1658728627906147

Cruz is at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown. There is no word on his condition but he is alive.

State Police are holding a press conference on this incident Friday morning.

10:45 a.m. UPDATE: WBRE-TV is reporting Schuylkill County District Attorney Mike O’Pake already reviewed 3 body cams that recorded the incident. He’s determined Pottsville Police were justified in Cruz’ shooting.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1658728627906147

12:30 p.m. UPDATE: WNEP-TV reports: Pottsville Police Chief Richard Wojciechowsky says of the two officers who shot at Cruz: “They acted courageously and it justs shows the dangers law enforcement faces every day.”

Subscribe to Coal Region Canary

Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!
Loading

News Tips?

Let us know of news happening in your area. Use our NEWS TIPS ENTRY FORM
Click to comment

0 Comments

  1. Pingback: Bail, Preliminary Hearing Set for Cop Shooter Jose Cruz - Coal Region Canary

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

Local News

Several Schuylkill County residents say they recently found bizarre printed messages inside packages of items purchased at local grocery stores. The Canary spoke with...

Local Weather

How much are we really going to get? Some say it's still too soon to tell.

PA News

Flights arriving in the cover of night to NEPA.

Local Weather

Slightly more snow expected for Schuylkill County.

Coronavirus in Pennsylvania

Hamburg Area School District may be joining Tamaqua Area in defying the indoor mask mandate announced by the administration of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf...

Local News

Back on March 10, a call came in to the Schuylkill County 9-1-1 dispatch center. Crews with Minersville’s Goodwill Fire Co. and EMS needed...