McDonald police chief returns to work amid investigation into shooting incident
The chief of police in McDonald returned to work Wednesday in an administrative capacity while there is an investigation into whether he was justified in shooting a man in the arm earlier this month.
Timothy Motte confirmed Wednesday he had been off the job immediately following the Oct. 3 incident.
“I’ve been on paid administrative leave as per regulations,” Motte said.
Though he is back at work, Motte said he will not be responding to calls or patrolling.
“It’s all according to regulations. There are procedures that have to be done,” Motte said.
State police are handling the investigation into the incident. Motte said when their investigation is concluded, Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh will make a determination about whether the shooting was justified.
Walsh said Wednesday that state police continue to investigate the matter.
The evening of Oct. 3, Motte responded to the area between Station Street and South Third Street where Jeremy Ray Washington was allegedly armed and threatening an individual.
Court documents accuse Washington of running from Motte. A witness saw Washington allegedly point a firearm at Motte, and who fired one round into Washington’s arm.
Washington, 37, of Washington, was charged by state police the next day with felonies of aggravated assault and prohibited possession of a firearm.
Washington was transported to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment. District Judge Louis McQuillan arraigned him on the charges on Oct. 8, and sent him to the Washington County jail without bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Oct. 23.