July 31, 2025
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
South Whitehall Township Police acted appropriately when they used a Taser on a 45-year-old Emmaus man and apprehended him as he caused a disturbance at a grocery store.
“Timothy Vanbilliard, 45, of Emmaus, died after an incident that day that occurred at the Weis
Market at 1500 N. Cedar Crest Blvd.,” according to a statement from Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan.
“Vanbilliard appeared agitated, belligerent, uncooperative and paranoid. He voiced his belief that the officers who responded were not “real police,” but were sent to kill him,” the statement said.
After he was taken into custody, Vanbilliard lost consciousness and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died from the use of methamphetamine and an existing health problem, Holihan said, citing a report from Dan Buglio, Lehigh County Coroner. Buglio ruled the death an accident.
Holihan said the use of force was appropriate, and the death was not caused by the Taser or any other force used.
Here’s the statement from District Attorney Holihan:
OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
LEHIGH COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Gavin P. Holihan
District Attorney
July 31, 2025
District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan announced the conclusion of the investigation in a May 11,
2025 death that occurred in South Whitehall Township.
Timothy Vanbilliard, 45, of Emmaus, died after an incident that day that occurred at the Weis
Market at 1500 N. Cedar Crest Blvd.
South Whitehall Township Police were called to the Weis Market after Vanbilliard began acting
erratically inside the store. Vanbilliard appeared agitated, belligerent, uncooperative and
paranoid. He voiced his belief that the officers who responded were not “real police,” but were
sent to kill him.
Over the course of several minutes, the officers attempted to deescalate Vanbilliard. Vanbilliard
became more excited and uncooperative. His speech appeared increasingly disjoined and
untethered to reality.
Vanbilliard began to destroy items in the store and threw a wine bottle at officers. Officers then
tased Vanbilliard, who continued to physically resist the officers’ efforts to control him.
Ultimately, Vanbilliard was handcuffed, after which he lost consciousness. Officers and EMS
provided medical care and Vanbilliard was taken to a local hospital where he was subsequently
pronounced dead.
Following an autopsy and toxicology testing, the cause of death was determined to be Acute
Methamphetamine Toxicity and Hypertensive and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in the
Setting of Law Enforcement Subdual and Restraint.
Daniel Buglio, the Lehigh County Coroner, has ruled the manner of death an accident.
Toxicology testing showed a significant level of illicit controlled substances in Vanbilliard’s
system at the time of his death, including methamphetamine. He also suffered from substantial
ongoing health issues that contributed to his death.
This office has reviewed the use of force applied by officers from South Whitehall Township
Police Department. This review included a detailed evaluation of all relevant video of the
incident including video from body-worn cameras.
The Lehigh County Homicide Task Force has conducted an investigation independent of South
Whitehall Township Police and all of the investigatory materials have been reviewed.
I find that the use of force applied to Vanbilliard by the South Whitehall Township Police
Officers was justified and appropriate. The level of force applied was not deadly force and was
intended to protect the public, the officers and Vanbilliard himself.
Vanbilliard’s death was not caused by the use of the Taser nor was it caused by the force used by
the officers.
It is clear that the officers involved acted appropriately in their efforts to reason with Vanbilliard
and deescalate the situation. The use of less than lethal force was made necessary by the actions
of Vanbilliard.
This office has concluded that all force used in this incident was appropriate and therefore
justified under Pennsylvania law. No criminal charges will be filed against any officer involved.
Because I have concluded there is no wrongful conduct by the officers, I will not release their
names publicly. At this point, I consider the investigation completed.
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 