Trooper Cleared In Officer-Involved Fatal Shooting

Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh and Coroner Tim Warco held a joint press conference Friday to address an officer involved shooting that occurred May 22 of this year. Warco announced that Dennis Fonoimoana, 25 was killed by multiple gunshot wounds having been shot five times. District Attorney Jason Walsh cleared a Pennsylvania State Trooper of criminal charges and detailed the events that transpired causing the trooper to fire his weapon seven times killing Fonoimoana. Fonoimoana was part of a pair of individuals that stole a chain saw from Rural King and were tracked down by state police in Mt. Pleasant Twp. The trooper pulled the vehicle identified in the robbery over and the passenger, Fonoimoana refused to exit and refused orders to show the trooper his hands that were poised beneath the car seat. Fonoimoana revealed a loaded weapon from beneath the seat and the trooper fired his weapon killing him. Walsh termed the incident a justifiable homicide and indicated no charges will be filed for this incident. Pennsylvania State Police confirmed that the officer involved is still on administrative leave and will return to full duty soon.