Updated at 5:30 p.m.
A Coatesville man who reportedly jumped over a White House fence in March attacked a deputy sheriff at the Chester County Justice Center on Tuesday, Aug. 25, and was fatally shot by another deputy, said Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan.
Hogan said about 11 a.m. Curtis Smith, 34, pulled a knife on a deputy sheriff working at the security checkpoint in the courthouse lobby. Another deputy pulled out his firearm and shot Smith. Hogan said Smith received first aid at the scene and was transported to Paoli Hospital, where he subsequently died.
The deputy sheriff who was attacked by Smith was taken to Chester County Hospital for injuries to his arm and hand, Hogan said. He was then flown to a trauma unit, where he is listed in stable condition, Hogan said.
The deputy who fired the shots was being interviewed by Chester County Detectives, who are conducting an investigation, Hogan said.
“Unfortunately, because of incidents like this across the nation, we have learned how to deal with an attack at a courthouse,” said Hogan. “No one else was injured. The sheriffs did their job, and the lockdown went perfectly.
Some county employees outside the building did not agree. They expressed confusion and frustration about whether they were supposed to try and get back inside.
County spokeswoman Rebecca Brain said business at the Justice Center continued for people who were already in the building when the shooting occurred. However, no new people were being admitted, she said.
Deputy sheriffs were stationed outside the main door of the center to make sure no one entered the building. Not everyone took the news well.
“I just traveled three hours to get here,” one man yelled, explaining that he had an appointment with someone in the probation department. “I don’t live in this county, and I can’t come back.”
Hogan said more details would be released after authorities have contacted the family members of those who were involved in Tuesday’s shooting.
In the meantime, Chester County Commissioners Terence Farrell, Kathi Cozzone and Michelle Kichline released a statement: “Today’s incident at the Justice Center gave evidence to the need for tight security measures in buildings such as this. For Chester County, these measures include a well-trained team of deputy sheriffs who monitor the security stations that are located in the lobby entrance of the building. We commend the deputy sheriffs who took quick action in order to protect all visitors and employees. These actions limited the severity of the attack. Our thoughts are with the injured deputy sheriff and his family.”
According to published news reports, Secret Service agents arrested Smith on March 1 after he climbed an outer stone wall near the White House. Pennsylvania court records show that Smith was scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 7 in district court for an assault and burglary case.
(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)
Loading...
Comments