蘑菇视频

Jun 18, 2018 4 min read

A Hopwood man carrying a five to six inch blade ignored a trooper蘑菇视频 commands to stop, advancing rapidly toward the trooper and saying 鈥渟hoot me鈥� multiple times, state police said at a Monday press conference.

Capt. Joseph Ruggery, commander for Troop B, said Kenneth D. Shaffer Jr., 29, of Bryson Boulevard ignored at least five warnings to stop as the trooper continued to back away from him on Hopwood-Fairchance Road in South Union Township Sunday afternoon, prompting the trooper to fire one round from his service weapon. Shaffer is expected to survive.

The bullet hit Shaffer in the upper left portion of his chest, Ruggery said.

鈥淧olice officers must be prepared at all times to react in defense of themselves or others in milliseconds if presented with an immediate threat, and that is exactly what happened in this case yesterday,鈥� he said.

Shaffer was taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia by medical helicopter, authorities said. He has been charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment and resisting arrest, and is under guard while he recovers.

Ruggery did not identify the trooper who shot Shaffer, but said he has been placed on administrative duties while an investigation is done.

鈥淭hat trooper had to make the decision that every officer hopes and prays he or she will never have to make in their careers 鈥� the decision to use deadly force against another human being,鈥� he said.

Fayette County District Attorney Rich Bower said he will review the investigation once it is complete to determine whether the shooting was justified.

Ruggery said Bower responded to the scene and was with police as they collected evidence and conducted interviews. State police in Washington will lead the investigation to ensure impartiality, he said.

Once that is completed, Ruggery said, police will also conduct an administrative investigation.

Police were called to 313 Hopwood-Fairchance Road just after 4 p.m. when a 911 caller reported a suspicious man walking in the area purposefully and brandishing what appeared to be a knife. Police later described it as an edged weapon, probably a blade from a reciprocating saw that may have been sharpened on one side. Responding troopers saw a man matching the caller蘑菇视频 description outside 505 Hopwood Fairchance Road. One car blocked his path of travel while the other pulled behind him. Ruggery said Shaffer immediately began a rapid approach on the trooper who exited his vehicle. After the trooper noted his commands were being ignored, he retreated backwards until he became blocked in by a guide rail, firing the weapon as Shaffer continued to approach him, according to Ruggery.

From the time two troopers arrived in separate cars, Ruggery said the entire incident took two or three seconds. He also noted the Shaffer was spotted near a home, and troopers were concerned nearby residents could be harmed by Shaffer.

鈥淣early all of those encounters end peacefully, but the potential will always exist for any law enforcement interaction to quickly turn into a life or death situation,鈥� he said.

Both audio and video were captured on a state police cruiser蘑菇视频 dash camera, which he said corroborated initial statements from troopers and witnesses.

Shaffer reportedly tried to get up after he was shot, then eventually complied with commands, Ruggery said. Troopers handcuffed him and immediately began emergency care to his wound to stop the bleeding before medical crews arrived, reassuring him he would survive. One trooper was taken to the hospital to be treated for exposure to Shaffer蘑菇视频 blood.

Ruggery said the trooper who fired the weapon had no immediate knowledge of Shaffer蘑菇视频 state of mind, intentions or criminal history.

Shaffer is a registered Megan蘑菇视频 Law offender, according to the state蘑菇视频 database. He was convicted in 2008 of sexual assault on a child Oct. 15, 2007. Last year, he was charged with allegedly failing to follow Megan蘑菇视频 Law registration requirements. He is awaiting trial in that case after he rejected a plea offer in February, according to court documents

Ruggery thanked the 911 caller, city police in Morgantown and West Virginia University police and local volunteer fire departments for giving their time on Father蘑菇视频 Day.

Anyone with information is asked to call State Police Uniontown at (724) 439-7111 or Fayette County Crime Stoppers at (724) 320-2042.