Officers Justified In Fatal Falls Twp. Shooting, DA Rules

LEVITTOWN, PA — Officers who shot and killed a Yardley man inside a Falls Township home over the summer faced a life-threatening situation and were justified in their actions, according to investigation led by the Bucks County District Attorney.

On Aug. 29, at 12:04 p.m., police responded to a call made from a Federal Lane home regarding a domestic dispute. Officers arrived to find Jorge Alberto Perez, 48, in the home with blood on him. His wife asked him to be removed from the home. According to police, Perez had a history of getting physical during arguments and making threats to his family.

After being questioned, Perez initiated an altercation with police in the home, eventually brandishing a knife. After several attempts to stop him, one of the officers shot Perez after he felt it was clear Perez was trying to attack them. The one shot to the chest was the only shot made that day, investigators said.

"I have concluded that [the officers] were reasonable in their individual beliefs that both of their lives were placed in clear and present danger by Mr. Jorge Perez at the time that [the officer] shot him," Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub said in a statement. "I therefore conclude that [the officer] was justified in discharging his weapon and shooting Jorge Perez, who died from his gunshot wound.”

Officers immediately reported the shot and attempted to resuscitate Perez, who eventually died from his injury.

Because neither officer has been charged, their names have been withheld in the information shared with the public.

“For the foregoing reasons, I therefore conclude that [Officer 1] was justified in shooting Jorge Perez, which unfortunately resulted in his death,” Weintraub said. “Since neither [Officer 1 nor Officer 2] are culpable in this matter; our investigation is accordingly closed.”