Two Norristown officers fatally shoot man said to be armed with knife in Elmwood Park

Two Norristown police officers shot and killed a man Friday night after he allegedly threatened them and moved toward them with a large knife, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, as reported by several Philadelphia-area outlets.

FOX 29 Philadelphia reported that the shooting took place on the night of Nov. 6 in Elmwood Park. Outlets gave slightly different times. FOX 29 put the encounter at about 8:50 p.m., The Philadelphia Inquirer said it was just before 9 p.m., CBS Philadelphia said around 9 p.m., and WHYY, citing 6abc, said shortly after 9 p.m.

WHYY placed the shooting in the 1200 block of Stanbridge Street. CBS Philadelphia said officers were at the corner of Stanbridge and West Airy streets.

According to District Attorney Kevin Steele, the officers came upon a man carrying a large knife who made threats and then advanced on them, CBS Philadelphia and WHYY reported. Both officers fired, hitting him. Officers tried to treat his wounds, but he did not survive, according to the outlets. CBS Philadelphia said he died at the scene, while FOX 29 and the Inquirer said his death was declared shortly afterward.

Accounts differ on what first drew police to the area. WHYY reported that authorities initially said officers were responding to reports of someone trying to set vehicles on fire near railroad tracks. FOX 29 reported that officials had not disclosed what originally brought officers to the park.

The man's name is being withheld while authorities reach his relatives. The officers involved also have not been named, according to the Inquirer and FOX 29. CBS Philadelphia and WHYY reported that no officers were hurt.

FOX 29 noted that officials have not revealed the total number of shots or said if either officer is on administrative leave, which the station described as typical during such reviews.

Montgomery County detectives are leading the investigation, in line with the county's standard practice whenever police officers fire their weapons, the outlets reported. The Inquirer reported that the Norristown Police Department, in a statement, described the death as a tragedy, offered sympathy to those affected, and said it was cooperating with the inquiry.

The Inquirer also reported that investigators are seeking tips from the public, which can be phoned in to the county's Detective Bureau at 610-278-3368.

Compiled by True News from reporting by WHYY, The Philadelphia Inquirer, CBS Philadelphia and FOX 29 Philadelphia. Each outlet's original story is linked below.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/857