Doylestown Officer Cleared In Fatal Standoff Shooting: Bucks DA

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — The Bucks County District Attorney has determined the police officer who shot a man last month during a standoff in Doylestown Township was justified in using deadly force.

Bucks County District Attorney Matthew D. Weintraub made the announcement Monday after reviewing the evidence gathered by Bucks County Detectives that showed the 61-year-old man twice came out of his home and aimed loaded guns at the officers during the Feb. 20 standoff.

Weintraub said he has officially cleared the officer of wrongdoing. The officer has not been identified. The police had "no choice but to shoot the man and neutralize the threat ," the DA said.

The man, Thomas Edward Zeller, was hospitalized after the shooting and died last week at Abington Hospital.

The incident began with a request to 911 that police check on Zeller, who was upset and smashing windows at his Carriage Drive residence, which is in the Olde Colonial Greene neighborhood.

The caller relayed that Zeller was upset and smashing windows at his residence. Officers later learned Zeller had guns, a gas mask, and a bulletproof vest, Weintraub said. He also discussed shooting and killing people outside his home, the District Attorney said.

Five shots were fired during the incident, all by one officer who was assisting in his capacity as a member of the Central Bucks Special Response Team, Weintraub said.

The officers’ efforts were captured by two body-worn cameras, footage from both of which was reviewed as part of the investigation.