WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — Police are investigating after an officer-involved shooting that left one man dead in Washington County on Saturday.
According to police, troopers responded to a Washington County mall for a report of a theft from Rural King. Police gathered information on the suspect’s car that fled the scene. A trooper saw the car in Mount Pleasant Township and conducted a traffic stop at Westland Road at Main Street.
Police said the driver was taken into custody during the traffic stop but the passenger, identified as 26-year-old Dennis Fonoimoana by the Washington County Coroner’s Office, refused to exit the car. Fonoimoana brandished a firearm during a verbal fight with the Trooper, also refusing to drop the gun when told to.
The trooper fired their gun, which hit Fonoimoana.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The involved trooper has been placed on administrative duties as per Pennsylvania State Police’s regulations.
The Washington County District Attorney’s Office was notified and responded to the scene.
This investigation is ongoing.
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