Calling Bullshit: Police officer justified in shooting man six times in the chest

02/25/2014

THE TERMINATOR IS DEAD! 

David Giliberti, killed in the incident

District Attorney Craig Stedman announced this morning that a Lititz police officer was justified in the fatal shooting of David P. Giliberti Dec. 21.

Giliberti, 22, was shot and killed by Lititz Borough police Officer Joel Hartz who responded to 101 Arrowhead Dr. after Giliberti's grandmother called 911 and said she needed help.

Hartz was immediately confronted by an agitated Giliberti, who repeatedly threatened to kill the officer, District Attorney Craig Stedman said.

“He would have murdered Officer Hartz,” Stedman said. “There was nothing that was going to stop him, except, essentially, his death.”

Hartz struggled with Giliberti before shocking him twice with a Taser — to no effect. Giliberti then went to the kitchen and retrieved a large knife.

Hartz then fired two shots into Giliberti's chest, but Giliberti continued to combat the officer, so Hartz continued to fire, the district attorney said.

In all, Hartz fired seven shots — six struck Giliberti in the chest, five of them passing through his body.

“It sounds like something right out of a movie,” Stedman said. “To have him not stop, that was extraordinary.”

It was the fourth fatal, police-involved shooting here since 2011. A fifth person was wounded and survived in that span.

Hartz, a 24-year veteran of the force, has been on paid administrative leave since the shooting.

His chief, William Seace, said Tuesday it’s unknown if Hartz, 47, will return to work.

“It’s unfortunate. This is a tragedy for both (sides),” Seace said. “Hopefully, he’ll come back.”

Investigation of the shooting scene corroborated with what Hartz reported, Stedman explained. Also, back-up officers who arrived at the house after the shooting said Hartz was “white as ghost” and clearly traumatized.

“This was an absolute last resort,” Stedman said of Hartz firing shots. “The reason that he was forced to use deadly force rests solely with Mr. Giliberti.”

Giliberti was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officials believe he was in the midst of a “psychotic episode” when he attacked the officer. Police had been to the house at least three times in previous months for calls concerning Giliberti’s behavior.

“Obviously, we have a continuing problem with dealing with mental illness,” Stedman said.

Seace noted that incidents involving the mentally ill becoming violent are common across the country.

“This is happening too often,” he said.

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