An investigation found that a Chester County police officer’s use of force was justified when he shot at a suspect who led authorities on a chase after fleeing them and then tried to steal a police cruiser in June, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
This investigation began after officers with the North Coventry Township Police Department were called to a Lowe’s Home Improvement store on June 22 to investigate a retail theft, officials explained.
When they got there, officers said they spoke with Joshua McFadden, 40, who was at the store before he drove out of the parking lot very fast. The officers explained that they didn’t chase after him.
While fleeing, McFadden crashed into another car while driving on Route 724 which led to both vehicles being badly damaged.
After the crash, McFadden ran away from the scene and into a wooded area nearby, police said.
A police officer saw the crash and McFadden running away so he tried to take him into custody but McFadden threatened to shoot the officer, officials reported.
Eventually, the officer lost sight of McFadden so the police department continued to search the area.
At some point, McFadden entered a nearby home and asked to use the homeowner’s phone, police said.
Later the same day, another police officer saw McFadden walking so the officer got out of his cruiser to try and stop him, police said.
McFadden ran away from the officer who chased him through a residential neighborhood before McFadden jumped into the drivers side of his police cruiser, officials explained.
McFadden started to drive away in the cruiser as the officer chased him on foot before the officer got in front of the vehicle, police said.
Officers said that McFadden tried to put the cruiser into gear and revved the engine toward the officer.
This is when the officer opened fire at McFadden and shot him in the shoulder, police reported.
McFadden slumped over from the gunshot wound and the officer started to render aid, according to the district attorney’s office.
Responding officers took McFadden to a nearby hospital where he was treated for his injury and then taken into police custody.
After the shooting, the East Coventry Township Police Department followed county policy and alerted the Chester County District Attorney’s Office of the incident.
The D.A.’s Office then conducted an investigation which led detectives to determine that the officer’s use of force was justified for the following reasons:
- “The defendant threatened to shoot law enforcement and that information was known to ECPO#1.”
- “The defendant was attempting to steal the officer’s marked patrol vehicle and ignored commands to stop.”
- “The defendant placed his foot on the gas and revved the engine before advancing the vehicle directly at the officer.”
- “The officer’s duty rifle and shotgun were immediately accessible to the defendant in the center of the patrol vehicle.”
McFadden was charged with aggravated assault, robbery of motor vehicle, burglary, fleeing and eluding as well as possession of methamphetamine.
