Father Of 6 Identified As Man Killed By Officers In Montco

EAST GREENVILLE, PA — The man who was shot and killed by police in Montgomery County over the weekend has been identified as a father of six who "loved his job," according to his obituary.

Gabriel Diaz, 55, was pronounced dead inside his East Greenville home Sunday night.

After hours behind a barricade, Diaz charged at officers while wielding a hatchet and machete, the District Attorney's Office said. When they shot him with a taser, he did not stop, and officers said they then opened fire.

Circumstances leading up to the incident remain unclear.

Diaz's obituary describes a loving and caring father who enjoyed spending his free time fixing his children's bicycles.

"Gabriel loved his work as a Warehouse Manager, most recently at JBS Beef Plant in Souderton the obituary states. "Gabriel had a big heart and would always lend a helping hand to others in need. Most of all, he cherished his children and the time he spent with them."

He was married to his wife for 11 years at the time of his death.

The incident began at around 8:08 p.m. at the home on the 100 block of Cherry Street.

Police were called to the scene by an 18-year-old who said they were the victim of an assault.

Multiple departments responded to the scene, and authorities attempted to negotiate with Diaz, who police said continued to threaten officers from the barricade.

Finally, after hours of stalemate, police breached the barricade at around 11:30 p.m., officials said.

Diaz, armed with a machete and a hatchet, charged at police, the DA's Office said. One officers tased the man, but it "failed to stop him," according to police.

That's when an Upper Perk officer, who also has not yet been publicly identified, opened fire, striking and killing the man.

Police officers provided aid to the man after he was shot, according to authorities, but he was pronounced dead at 12:05 a.m

Montgomery County Detectives are leading an investigation into the incident to determine if it was justified, as they do all officer-involved shootings. If you have any information, contact Montgomery County Detectives at 610-278-3368.