DA: Norristown Police-Involved Shooting Is Justified

NORRISTOWN, PA —Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele ruled Friday that Norristown police officers were justified when they fired shots at a suspect who was firing at them in a breezeway on May 21.

Police were attempting to arrest Mark Simpkins Jr. on a parole violation after they spotted Simpkins going into the A-Plus Store on Main Street at 6 a.m.

Simpkins then ran into a breezeway between two residences and fired at the police.
Police returned fire, shooting Simpkins in the leg.

“The defendant’s weapon discharged in close proximity to the Norristown police
officers while in the breezeway’s enclosed area, leading them to fear for their lives,” Steele said.

“Thankfully, no lives were lost during this incident, and the wanted defendant was taken into custody.”

By law, an independent investigation is required of all police-involved shootings.

Simpkins is charged aggravated assault of a police officer, weapon offenses and related charges. He is in Montgomery County Correctional Facility, near Eagleville.

Police said they later confiscated multiple baggies of cocaine from the suspect's pockets and a black pistol magazine was found next to him. They also found a 9 mm handgun, which has been reported as stolen during burglary on April 26 in Philadelphia.

Simpkins was treated for the bullet wound in Paoli Hospital.

As part of the review, county detectives interviewed witnesses, obtained videos, collected evidence and evaluated ballistic evidence.