Fatal police shooting of man in Lancaster sparks protest

LANCASTER — Crowds gathered to protest in a Pennsylvania city after a man was fatally shot by an officer who authorities say was responding to a domestic disturbance call.

The shooting shortly after 4 p.m. in Lancaster killed 27-year-old Ricardo Munoz, the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release Sunday evening.

The office will lead an investigation into the shooting. The release stated the officer’s body camera footage showed Munoz emerging from the inside of the house and running towards the officer when he arrived at the residence for the call.

BREAKING: Officer involved shooting in Lancaster City near Laurel & Fremont Streets. Crowds gathering and beginning to hold political signs ... White and black sign pictured says, "We are done with Amerikkka. Change is coming." pic.twitter.com/dejbgVmNVi

— Andrea Finney (@AndreaTVNews) September 13, 2020

The news release said Munoz was brandishing a knife above his head “in clear view” and “in a threatening manner” when the officer fired at him. Munoz died at the scene and no one else was struck by gunfire, the release said.

“A police-involved shooting has significant impact on a community, as we are seeing with the large number of individuals gathering in the streets,” District Attorney Heather Adams said in the release. “However, I am asking that all reaction be tempered as the investigation is ongoing.”

We have reviewed body cam footage which shows man ran at @LancasterPolice while brandishing a knife above his head.
Our investigation is ongoing.

— Lancaster DA (@Lancaster_DA) September 14, 2020

WGAL-TV reported the windows of police vehicles were smashed during the protest against the shooting on Sunday. The crowds also marched to the city’s police station to continue their protests and could be heard chanting “this is what democracy looks like.”

A “final determination on the use of force” will be made by Adams, the news release said.

“We ask that acts of protest remain peaceful as violence and destruction of property will become headlines and serve no purpose for the safety and wellbeing of our citizens and neighborhoods,” the office said.