Newtown Township police officer shoots, kills passenger while pinned between vehicle, police cruiser after traffic stop
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (CBS) -- A Newtown Township officer shot two people in a vehicle pinning him against a police cruiser during a traffic stop Wednesday night, killing one of them, police said. The driver is now facing charges.
Police said the officer shot the driver of the vehicle, a 27-year-old man, after the vehicle lurched forward during the stop, pinning the officer between the car and a police cruiser. He has since been identified as Jerry Long, of Devon, Pennsylvania, according to the Delaware County District Attorney's Office.
The passenger, a 28-year-old woman, was also shot. She was pronounced dead at the scene and the driver was taken to Lankenau Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds.
The officer suffered minor injuries but has since been treated and released from the hospital.
There are still unanswered questions as the Delaware County District Attorney's Office takes over the investigation.
Neighbors said they were in shock to learn what happened.
Attempted stop in Newtown Township led to shooting in Radnor: police
Newtown Township police first attempted to stop the white Nissan Altima with Delaware plates at Brookside Road and Ashley Road, believing it was connected to burglaries in nearby Radnor Township about two weeks ago, Newtown police Capt. John Newell said.
"The vehicle had been involved in a police pursuit about two weeks prior in Radnor Township. I believe it was suspected and being involved in either thefts or burglaries in the residential neighborhoods," Newell said.
When an officer got out to approach the vehicle, the driver fled the scene down West Chester Pike, Newell said.
The vehicle lost a tire during the short pursuit and temporarily came to a stop on Bryn Mawr Avenue, where it struck two police vehicles and kept driving about another quarter mile.
Then, the vehicle continued farther to the 800 block of Bryn Mawr Avenue in Radnor, where the officer was pinned.
"At that point, the suspect vehicle lurched forward and pinned the officer between the suspect vehicle and the police vehicle. Subsequently, the officer fired his service weapon," Newell said.
You can watch the full news conference with Newtown Township Police below.
Neighbors shocked after deadly shooting
"In the beginning, I heard a helicopter -- the sound -- and then later I heard the sirens," said Rebecca Li, who lives in the area.
Li and other neighbors who spoke off camera said they're still trying to understand what unfolded feet from their doorsteps.
"I heard like a firecracker. Pop, pop, pop several times but I think it shouldn't be a firecracker," Li said. "It's terrible and after I heard all kind of sounds and I noticed that something serious -- I was even very alert about my house."
Long was arraigned Thursday on 12 charges, including aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person and driving on a suspended license. Records also show he had two outstanding warrants for violation of probation in Delaware, as well as a parole violation in Chester County. The name of the passenger still has not been released.
Per administrative policy, the officer who fired his weapon is on administrative leave as the investigation continues. Long is being held on a $1 million bail.
