Spring City Man Fired Shots At Police For Hours Before Surrendering: Officials

SPRING CITY, PA — The Spring City man who assaulted a family member and then fired shots at police during an ensuing barricade faces numerous charges.

The incident occurred on April 29 at around 11:18 p.m. on the 200 block of New Street.

Police arriving on the scene found a victim with "obvious physical injuries" who had been attacked by 52-year-old Daniel Stephen Montalto, they said.

Montalto was inside the home at the time and family members warned officers about to enter that Montalto was armed.

Over the ensuing hours, Montalto ignored attempts by police to communicate with him, and fired several shots at the perimeter set up by the Chester County Emergency Response Team around the home, police said.

"Law enforcement made multiple efforts to speak with the defendant through an intercom system, but all efforts were unsuccessful," Spring City Police said in a statement.

Montalto continued to "periodically" fire shots from inside the home until around 3:14 a.m., when he finally emerged and surrendered, according to authorities.

Spring City police were assisted by officers from around the region, including East Coventry Township PD, East Pikeland Township PD, East Vincent Township PD, West Vincent Township PD, troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), and the Chester County Emergency Response Team.

"This is a continued reminder that domestic violence and guns simply do not mix," District Attorney Christopher L. de Barrena-Sarobe said. "Thankfully, no one was shot, and the community is now safe."

Montalto was charged with aggravated assault, assault of a law enforcement officer, terroristic threats, endangering the welfare of children, simple assault, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, and related counts.

He was booked at Chester County Prison. A preliminary hearing is forthcoming.