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Man Shot, Killed By Police During Grocery Store Break-In

SOMERSET (KDKA) – Police shot and killed a man who allegedly broke into a Somerset County grocery store when they say he refused to give up his weapon.

It happened at the Save-A-Lot grocery store on North Center Avenue just before 4 a.m. Friday.

Police say they were responding to a burglar alarm that went off in the store.

A string of recent break-ins had been reported in that area, so police had been keeping an eye on it. They say surveillance video from a prior break-in showed a man with what appeared to be a handgun stuffed in the back of his waistband.

When police started to go through the large supermarket looking for a suspect, one officer went into a back room and found 40-year-old Michael J. Lowrey of Somerset.

"That suspect was completely covered from head to toe in clothing, so it was very difficult to try and make out any type of identity and he had a handgun on him," said State Police Tpr. Steve Limani. "That trooper confronted the subject, requested that he relinquish his handgun and he put down the gun, that suspect did not comply with the request of the trooper, the trooper engaged him with gunfire, the suspect went to the ground, the trooper secured the suspect's firearm, called for medical attention and tried to render aid. Unfortunately that individual succumbed to his injuries."

Lowrey had several prior burglary-related arrests and three felony warrants out for his arrest.

"We're thinking up to 30 other incidents he may have been involved in," said Lisa Lazzari-Strasiser, the Somerset County District Attorney.

It turns out the gun Lowrey had on him wasn't a real gun. Investigators say it was a pellet gun that may have had its red tip, or fluorescent orange marker, taken off.

Investigators say the officer believed he was looking at a handgun.

The investigation is ongoing, but the Somerset County DA says she believes it was a justified use of lethal force.

The trooper involved in the shooting in an 11-year veteran and is on administrative leave.

Stay with KDKA for more information.

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