Hasbrouck Heights Man Fatally Shot By Cops Near Dorney Park

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NJ — A borough man was fatally shot by Pennsylvania police across the street from Dorney Park Saturday after he ripped a window off a woman's vehicle, and then jumped on the hood of another, authorities say.

Joseph Santos, 44, was "acting irrationally" near the 3700 block of Hamilton Boulevard across from Dorney Park in South Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania, said Lehigh County District Attorney James Martin.

A nearby woman drove up to a police officer directing traffic near the scene and told him what happened. The officer responded to the area at about 5:45 p.m., Martin said.

Police found Santos and confronted him about his behavior. He was shot during the confrontation, Martin said, though police did not say what specifically led to the shooting. Martin said several people saw the incident and Santos' behavior.

Santos allegedly banged on the side of a police car, walked around to the back of the vehicle, and then circled back toward a police officer, according to a report by WFMZ 69, which cited a video shot by an eyewitness at the scene.

The police officer can be heard in the video yelling to Santos to get on the ground, but Santos kept walking and the police officer fired his gun multiple times, according to the report. The officer was placed on administrative leave.

Santos was pronounced dead at Lehigh Valley Hospital Saturday night, Martin said.

An autopsy will be performed Tuesday to determine the exact cause of death, Scott Grim, the Lehigh County coroner said.

The Pennsylvania State Police and the Lehigh County Coroner's Office are investigating the shooting, with the assistance of Martin and the Lehigh County District Attorney Homicide Task Force.

Email daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Patch file photo by Daniel Hubbard