Cop Should Face Charges In Shooting Death, West PA Coroner Says

WASHINGTON, PA — Washington County Coroner Timothy Warco is recommending criminal charges be filed against a Mount Pleasant police officer who fatally shot a suspect after a pursuit in April.

Eduardo Lee Hoover Jr., 38, of Coraopolis, Allegheny County, died following a police chase from Burgettstown to Washington. Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh subsequently said the officers involved were justified in using deadly force.

Warco disagreed following an inquest into Hoover's death and on Thursday recommended charges be filed against Mount Pleasant officer Tyler Evans, who fired the two shots inside of Hoover's vehicle that killed him.

Hoover was unarmed at the time of his death.

Investigators initially said that Hoover accelerated his vehicle toward police and putting officers at risk. But Warco said that bodycam video contradicted Evans' testimony at the inquest that officers were in immediate danger of being harmed.

Warco is recommending that Evans be charged with involuntary manslaughter, WPXI-TV reported.

If Walsh fails to file criminal charges, Warco said he will contact Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry's office.