Suspect Identified In Deadly Police-Involved Shooting In Allentown
By Steve Patterson
ALLENTOWN, Pa., (CBS) – Police are investigating a deadly police-involved shooting that occurred in Allentown.
"I'm hoping that I saved her life."
Police say neighbor Jennifer Brown may have done just that.
At first she thought she was hearing her on-again/off-again neighbors fighting again.
But this time was far worse.
"A lot of yelling 'help me, help me' and then I heard some banging," she said.
"I banged back and I said I'm calling the police."
Police say it was 42-year-old Jerome Nichols who allegedly broke in to his ex-girlfriend's home and stabbed her during a home invasion in West Catasauqua shortly after 3 a.m. Monday.
With police in pursuit, authorities say Nichols fled in his SUV, eventually crashing in an industrial drive in Allentown.
"Officers tried to approach and he fled."
It's when police say a Catasauqua officer caught up to the suspect and while attempting to make an arrest was allegedly stabbed several times.
Police say a Pennsylvania State Trooper and second Catasauqua Officer shot and killed Nichols.
"I can say that the shooting incident that involved both a Catasauqua police officer and a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper appears to be certainly justified based on the circumstances," said Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin.
Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin says he's thankful after two successful surgeries.
"They are both very likely to recover. We thank God for that," said Martin.
"I'm just grateful that she's okay and happy that she's alive," said Brown.
Both the officer and the female are expected to make a full recovery. The officer is a five year veteran on the force.
The incident remains under investigation.
