Police Shoot & Kill Man At Mt. Pleasant Grocery Store
EAST HUNTINGDON (KDKA) - State police shot and killed a man at a local grocery store after he began acting violently Friday morning.
The incident happened at the Save-A-Lot store in the Crossroads Plaza in East Huntingdon.
Police were called to the Wal-Mart in East Huntingdon around 9 a.m. where authorities say a man who had been kicked out of the store on numerous other occasions was causing a problem.
"That person was threatening managers, had a pair of scissors and was acting violent," said Trooper Steve Limani, of the Pennsylvania State Police.
The man then went to the nearby Save-a-Lot grocery store where police say his erratic behavior continued.
"Just eating, drinking, spitting on the floor. Some oddball things that just, you know… and then when he pulled the scissors out, of course, my employees reacted right away and took cover and called for help," said John Mitchell, of owner of the grocery store.
When police arrived, investigators say the man attacked the trooper inside of the store with a pair of scissors.
Another altercation took place in the doorway. Police say that's when the trooper, who is a 10-year veteran of the force, suffered a gash to his head and pulled out his gun. The suspect was wounded in the torso.
The suspect was able to run from the store, but collapsed in the parking lot. He was pronounced dead at Excela Frick Hospital.
The trooper was treated and released from Westmoreland Hospital.
"Obviously, things like this are very traumatic, but fortunately for us his wounds… they'll be tended to. He should be okay," said Trooper Limani.
The suspect has been identified as 26-year-old Seth O'Donnell of Scottdale. In February, he was arrested for allegedly attacking his mother and two neighbors with a wooden mantle clock.
An autopsy was scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the manager at Save-a-Lot is thankful to the state police for their work.
"We're sad that it escalated to this point," said Mitchell. "One-hundred percent it was very disturbing that the gentleman passed away, but again, as I said, the safety of our customers and employees are always number one at Save-a-Lot."
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