Jefferson Township man shot by state police, in critical condition
Steven Garrett Ward
State police shot and critically injured Steven Garrett Ward, 20, of Jefferson Township early Wednesday after he allegedly charged at them with a knife at this 357 Bethel Ridge Road residence near Avella.
State police shot and critically injured a Jefferson Township man who allegedly charged at them with a 10-inch, double-edged knife during a disturbance at his home early Wednesday.
Police spokeswoman Stefani Lucas said Steven Garrett Ward, 20, was in critical condition in Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, after two state troopers fired their weapons at him when they were summoned to his 357 Bethel Ridge Road residence near Avella at 12:25 a.m.
The troopers said they both fired their weapons at Ward after he refused to obey their commands to drop his weapon. Neither trooper was injured, Lucas said.
Ward’s mother had indicated her son “was out of control, damaging property and being physical with family members” before the shooting, Lucas stated in a news release.
Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone, who was briefed on the case Wednesday, said state police described the weapon Ward carried as a Bowie knife similar to what was used in the 1986 Australian-American comedy movie “Crocodile Dundee.” He said a Bowie knife has a traditional edge on one side of its blade and a row of sharp ridges on the other side.
Vittone said state police have an internal affairs unit investigating the case as well as a another review underway by a different troop, that he will review their findings before determining if the shooting was justifiable.
Investigators did not reveal how many times or where Ward was shot, nor did they identify the troopers who fired their weapons at him.
Trooper Steven J. Walters of the state police barracks in Belle Vernon filed numerous charges Wednesday afternoon against Ward at the office of District Judge Gary H. Havelka in nearby Smith Township. Ward is charged in that case with six felony counts of aggravated assault, three counts of reckless endangerment and harassment and one count of simple assault. Additional details of that case were not immediately available Wednesday night.
The troopers involved in the shooting have been given administrative duties while the case is under investigation, as is standard in such cases, Lucas said.