Officer Was Justified In Shooting Following KOP Mall Hit And Run: DA

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA — The police officer who shot and injured a hit and run suspect during an incident in King of Prussia last month was justified in using his weapon, an investigation by the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office found.

Officials announced results of the investigation on Tuesday, noting that multiple eyewitnesses confirmed that the suspect had first fired shots at the police officer.

“The evidence shows that the suspect, Andrew Wiley, immediately began shooting at the approaching officer in a very busy location," DA Kevin Steele said in a statement. The officer fired his weapon at the suspect, striking him and stopping the threat to innocent bystanders as well as to himself."

After being shot, Wiley told police to "kill me" and to "shoot me in the head," the DA's Office said.

Upper Merion Police Chief Thomas Nolan said the department is in the process of an internal investigation to determine if the officer is ready to go back to work.

“In addition to the shooting, the officer was involved in a near death experience,” the chief said. “We are going through an internal process.”

RELATED: Man Charged With Attempted Murder Of Officer After KOP Mall Shootout

The incident began shortly after 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 18, when a vehicle matching Wiley's hit a bicyclist near the King of Prussia Mall and fled the scene, according to the District Attorney's Office.

A responding officer located Wiley, 27, of Philadelphia, who was stuck in traffic as he fled, and tried to pull him over, police said.

That's when Wiley jumped the curb and entered the parking lot of the Seasons 52 restaurant, driving off a 4-foot stone wall and disabling the car in the process, according to authorities.

The officer got out of his vehicle and approached the car on foot, according to police, who said Wiley exited his car with a 9-mm handgun.

The officer and Wiley then exchanged gunfire. The officer was not hit and Wiley was hit twice, police said.

Officers responding to the scene treated Wiley, who was taken to Paoli Hospital. His injuries were not life-threatening.

Wiley's 9 mm Glock-type weapon had no serial number and is believed to be a ghost gun, the DA's Office added.

Wiley was charged with attempted murder of an officer, as well as aggravated assault and firearms counts.

He was booked at Montgomery County Correctional Facility and bail was not made available. A preliminary hearing is forthcoming.

With reporting from Patch correspondent Holly Herman