Police Cleared In Shooting Death Of Montco Man, Father Of 6: DA

EAST GREENVILLE, PA — A Montgomery County police officer has been cleared of wrongdoing after he shot and killed a man during a standoff following a six week-long investigation, the district attorney's office announced.

The victim, Gabriel Diaz, 55, was a father of six who was described in his obituary as a loving and caring father, who enjoyed spending his free time fixing his children's bicycles.

Authorities said they used scene analysis, ballistic evidence, witness statements, and interviews with police on the scene to make their judgment.

Related: Father Of 6 Identified As Man Killed By Officers In Montco

The incident occurred back on Sept. 14 at a home on the 100 block of Cherry Street in East Greenville. Police were called to the scene at around 8:08 p.m. by an 18-year-old family member who said that Diaz had assaulted and strangled her.

Diaz barricaded himself inside the basement and threatened to blow up the house after police arrived, coming up at one point armed with an axe and machete before retreating, police said.

At around 11:30 p.m., officers breached the basement and found Diaz still holding the weapons, according to the DA. Officials said Diaz then ignored calls to drop his weapons and charged at officers.

A shot from a taser failed to stop Diaz.

That's when an Upper Perk police office shot his firearm, hitting Diaz twice, officials said.

The DA's office cited the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, which says an officer is justified in using deadly force "when he believes that such force is necessary to prevent death or serious bodily injury to himself or such other person...”