Plymouth Twp Officers Cleared Of Wrongdoing In Fatal Shooting: DA

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, PA — The Plymouth Township police officers who shot and killed an armed man have been cleared of any wrongdoing following a legally mandated investigation, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said.

The armed man, 22-year-old Michael Paone, had stabbed his mother just moments before police arrived, according to police.

Two officers encountered Paone — now armed with a gun — outside the Plymouth Garden Apartments, on Fayette Street in Conshohocken, at around 11:15 p.m. on Aug. 3.

See previous coverage: Officer fatally shoots gun-wielding man in Plymouth

With numerous bystanders in the vicinity, officers ordered Paone to drop the gun, but Paone refused and extended his arm out to point the gun at one of the officers, the DA's Office said.

Both officers fired shots at Paone, striking him and sending him to the ground, police said. But from the ground, he again raised up his weapon to point towards the officers, according to investigators. Police opened fire again, striking him a total of five times, the DA said.

"Our investigation determined the facts of this case supported the use of deadly force," District Attorney Kevin Steele said. "The Plymouth Township Police Officers acted by discharging their firearms to put a stop to what they believed was a lethal threat to themselves and to surrounding bystanders."

Authorities used multiple 911 calls, on-scene evidence, ballistics, audio and video recordings, and eyewitness accounts to conduct their investigation.

Paone's mother was treated at a nearby hospital for non life-threatening injuries.