DA: Shooting justified
Steven Garrett Ward
The knife that police say Steven Ward was carrying when he was shot by state troopers in Jefferson Township on Dec. 7
Two state police troopers involved in the shooting last week of a Jefferson Township man who charged at them with a knife were justified in their choice of force, Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone said Tuesday.
Vittone said it was obvious the troopers were entering a hostile situation late Dec. 7 at Steven Garrett Ward’s home at 357 Bethel Ridge Road near Avella after dispatchers heard reports from the scene that Ward had grabbed a shotgun, threatening to kill himself, and was assaulting members of his family.
“It is my determination that the response and actions taken by all of the troopers involved were absolutely and unequivocally justified under the circumstances,” Vittone said.
Ward, who was shot in the arm and side, remained in critical condition Tuesday afternoon at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, a hospital spokeswoman said.
In questioning his relatives Dec. 8, police learned that Ward was overheard saying he was depressed and planned to charge at police with a 10-inch knife in hopes that they would shoot and kill him, court records show. Investigators also learned that Ward was unable to find any shells to load the shotgun.
Ward was charged that day with six counts of aggravated assault, three counts each of reckless endangerment and harassment and one count of simple assault. The state police officers who responded to the house were identified as Cpl. Fred A. Scott Jr. and Troopers Paul D. Partee and Christopher L. Storm.
Ward, who lived in a camper on the property, was “flipping out” and refused police commands to drop his weapon, Vittone said. The troopers each fired one shot at Ward.
Several witnesses corroborated the demand by Scott, a 20-year veteran of the state police, for Ward to drop the knife. In addition, Charles Ward, the father of the suspect, yelled to his son to drop the knife.
Ward’s failure to obey police commands and his approach with a deadly weapon in his hand justified the need for police to use potentially deadly force to protect themselves and others, Vittone said.
“Given the real threat that the suspect presented and his indicated desire, I am happy that no officers were injured, or worse,” Vittone said. “Our community is again reminded of the risks that confront our law enforcement professionals on each and every emergency call. Their dedication to protecting us deserves our respect.”
Assistant Editor Linda Ritzer contributed to this report.