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State Police, District Attorney Investigate Police Shooting

HANOVER TOWNSHIP — The Luzerne County district attorney and state police are now investigating whether a police shooting was justified. Investigators say ...
luz shots fired investigation

HANOVER TOWNSHIP -- The Luzerne County district attorney and state police are now investigating whether a police shooting was justified.

Investigators say a police officer shot a man Wednesday afternoon in the parking lot of a shopping plaza in Hanover township.

It happened around 2:30 p.m. outside Family Dollar on Carey Avenue near the Wilkes-Barre city line.

Investigators aren't saying much about the incident except to confirm a man was shot and is expected to be okay. They also confirmed a member of law enforcement pulled the trigger.

State police snapped pictures and took measurements as part of the investigation.

The Luzerne County district attorney says officers with Wilkes-Barre's anti-crime unit were working with state police's vice unit when an officer opened fire and shot a man.

Part of the scanner call was recorded and posted online.

"We have shots fired at the Family Dollar, Division and Carey Ave. Maroon Ford Taurus. Suspect attempted to run over officers."

"I'd be lying not to say it doesn't worry you because you don`t know what's going on. I mean I don`t know what the reason was behind this, hopefully they tack it down a little bit," said Paul Nice of Hanover Township.

"It happened right in front of my Jeep. I can't even take my Jeep. I'm walking. Like I said I have to leave my vehicle here and come back," said Robert Lewis of Swoyersville.

The man who was shot was taken to a hospital and investigators say he's expected to survive.

A woman was handcuffed at the scene and taken away in a police cruiser.

The district attorney won't comment on specifics of the investigation, except to confirm her office is working with state police to determine if the shooting was justified.

"We do not believe that the public is at risk at all, that there isn`t any issue with public safety," said Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis.

While the D.A. and state police are investigating this shooting the officer involved will be put on administrative leave.

The D.A. will not identify the officer involved.

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