Alleged knife-wielding man killed in Delaware County officer-involved shooting identified
Body camera video captures deadly police encounter in Delaware County
Delaware County prosecutors released police body camera footage showing an officer shooting and killing 23-year-old Ugochukwu Ilodigwe during a struggle in Aldan. District Attorney Tanner Rouse said the officer's actions were justified and that no criminal charges will be filed against her.
ALDAN, Pa. - Prosecutors on Friday shared new information about a deadly officer-involved shooting of a knife-wielding man.
Newly released body camera video captures deadly police encounter
What we know:
Officers from the Aldan Borough Police Department on August 6 were called to the area of South Clifton and Aldan avenues to help to conduct a courtesy transport.
Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse explained a courtesy transport is a free ride offered to residents by the police department. Body camera footage shared by Rouse's office on Friday shows the officer responding to the call.
The officer, who has not been publically identified at this time, is seen exiting her police vehicle and approaching a man standing in a grassy area on the side of the road. As the officer gets closer to the man, identified by the coroner's office as 23-year-old Ugochukwu Iiodigwe, he suddenly pulls out what Rouse described as a "meat-cutting knife" and takes a swing at the officer.
The officer stumbles and falls onto her back, pleading for the suspect to stop. Back on her feet, video shows Iiodigwe take more swipes at the officer as she back peddles and eventually begins Tasing him. Iiodigwe falls to the ground, but ignores the officer's commands to put his hands behind his back and continues reaching for the 12-inch knife while being Tased.
Moments later, Iiodigwe springs to his feet and continues advancing towards the officer while being Tased. The officer pulls out her service weapon and points it at Iiodigwe as he charges forward and is shot.
Iiodigwe was brought to Lankenau Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The Montgomery County Coroner's Office determined that Iiodigwe died from "multiple gunshot wounds" and certified his death as a homicide.
"The classification of homicide is a medical determination for death certification and does not indicate criminal intent or assign legal responsibility," the coroner's office said.
What they're saying:
"I can’t think of a thing in the world she could have done differently it is very clear from that video and it’s very clear from the aftermath of this incident she desperately wanted to avoid this situation," said District Attorney Tanner Rouse.
Rouse also noted Ilodigwe exhibited signs of mental distress before this encounter, saying, "This is someone who was clearly suffering. This is someone who gave signs at multiple different stages throughout their life that they were suffering I don’t want to fault the family at all I’m sure they did everything in their power but that’s just the point."
Aldan Mayor Michael Ceci called the incident "a tragic event all around. The conclusion of this investigation doesn’t change the fact that a family has lost a loved one and we recognize the grief they are experiencing."
Ilodigwe's family described him as "a bright and giving person" on a GoFundMe site created for his funeral expenses.
What's next:
The incident remains under investigation by the Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division and their Special Investigations Division.
What we don't know:
Officials have not shared the name of the officer involved in the shooting. Rouse on Friday said the officer had returned to work.
The Source: Information provided by the Montgomery County Coroner's Office.