Officer 'Justified' In Killing Man Who Attacked Her With Knife In Delco: DA

ALDAN, PA — An Aldan Borough police officer was "justified" in fatally shooting a man who attacked her with a knife last week, says Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse.

The District Attorney's Office has been investigating the police shooting. On Friday, Rouse shared the officer's body camera footage of the incident.

• Related: Officer Shoots, Kills Man Who Had Knife In Delco: Officials

The footage showed the man — identified as Ugochukwu Ilodigwe — approaching the officer while swinging a knife. The officer, whose name wasn't released, deployed her Taser but couldn't subdue Ilodigwe. So she fired her service weapon.

"The officer's actions were justified that night," Rouse said before sharing the footage at a news conference. "Not just legally, but as a person, they were justified. What you will see is a young man who unfortunately seemed very intent on this outcome."

The police officer was dispatched to give Ilodigwe a police escort, picking him up around 3:30 a.m. Aug. 6 by South Clifton and Aldan avenues.

Once she pulled up, Ilodigwe pulled out a knife and began attacking. Rouse described the weapon as a 12-inch meat-cutting knife.

"She pleads with the decedent to stop," Rouse said. "He makes no indication that he is going to relent. Instead, he continues reaching for the knife. He references having a gun. He charges at her after she has tased him repeatedly. She is left with no choice."

Ilodigwe was brought to Lankenau Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. He was 23.

The officer sustained minor injuries.

Ilodigwe's father told NBC10 that his son struggled with mental illness. Patrick Ilodigwe says his son called 911 because he wanted to see him.

"The police said, from what they are telling me, that he came out with a knife and attacking him," he said. "They tased him, and he was still attacking them, and they shot him."

The officer was placed on desk duty during the investigation — in line with Aldan Borough's use-of-force policy.

She has been cleared to return to active duty, said Aldan Mayor Michael Ceci.

"This was a tragic event all around," Ceci said. "The conclusion of this investigation doesn't change the fact that a family has lost a loved one, and we recognized the grief they are experiencing."