South Whitehall Police Fired on Man With ‘What Appeared to Be A Rifle,’ Killing Him: Lehigh County D.A.

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

South Whitehall Township police confronted a man carrying “what appeared to be a rifle” this afternoon and fired on the man after he refused to put the weapon down.

Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and South Whitehall Police Chief Frank Lombardo said in a press release that the incident is being investigated by the District Attorney’s Office, the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, Pennsylvania State Police Forensics Services Unit and the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office.

The man was not identified, but the statement from Holihan and Lombardo said the man had long-term health problems and left a note in his home.

Here’s the statement from District Attorney Holihan and Chief Lombardo:

May 28, 2025

District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and South Whitehall Township Police Chief Frank Lombardo
announced preliminary investigative details of a shooting that occurred this afternoon in South Whitehall Township.
The shooting occurred around 1 p.m. at a home in the 100 block of N. 38th Street. Officers were called to the scene after a 911 call reported a man with a gun.
Multiple South Whitehall Township officers arrived at the scene. They were confronted by a man with what appeared to be a rifle.
The man advanced towards the officers, who gave several commands for him to drop the weapon. The man refused to drop the weapon.
Officers used less-than-lethal force against the man which did not stop him from advancing toward th officers.
Approximately six rounds were fired by the officers, which resulted in the man’s death. He was
pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim will not be identified at this point in the investigation. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday morning.
A preliminary investigation indicates the man was suffering from long-term health issues. A note was found inside the home after his death.
The case is being investigated by Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, Pennsylvania State Police Forensics Services Unit and the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office.