Officers found justified in shooting of man wanted for rape in Lancaster Co.
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — The police officers who shot and killed a man wanted on rape and assault charges in December were found justified in their use of force, the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office announced Friday.
The officer-involved shooting occurred on Dec. 28, 2023 in Elizabethtown as officers were trying to serve an arrest warrant for 38-year-old Shane Kelec.
Kelec was wanted after police said he raped and assaulted a victim on Dec. 17.
READ MORE: Lancaster Co. man rapes, 'severely' beats victim before leaving in their vehicle: police
In a press release, the District Attorney's Office broke down the events that led to the deadly shooting.
On Dec. 28, an officer searching for Kelec found him laying under a blanket behind a large trash receptacle in the parking lot of a Taco Bell.
The officer asked Kelec to sit up and put his hands on his head, which he did.
The officer then called for two other officers who were around the front of the restaurant, the DA said.
As the additional officers arrived, Kelec took his hands off his head and put them underneath the blanket.
Officers commanded him multiple times to show his hands.
According to the DA, Kelec proceeded to pull the blanket down, revealing a gun while making direct eye contact with the first responding officer.
As Kelec lifted the gun, two of the officers opened fire.
The officers called for backup, and Kelec was pronounced dead.
After his body was moved, police found a firearm loaded with six rounds in the magazine and one round in the chamber, the DA said.
The DA said officers also found a suicide note.
After reviewing all available evidence, the DA found that the officers were justified in their use of force, as they believed they were at imminent risk of death or bodily harm.
READ MORE: Deadly officer involved shooting investigation underway in Elizabethtown
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