Delaware County district attorney says Aldan Borough police shooting of 23-year-old man was justified

The Delaware County District Attorney’s Office said Friday that Aldan borough police were justified in fatally shooting a man last week.

District Attorney Tanner Rouse called the shooting a “tragedy” at a news conference Friday but said the Aldan Borough police officer who shot him was justified, “not just legally, but as a person.”

“What you will see is a young man who unfortunately seemed very intent on this outcome,” Rouse said.

The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office identified the man police shot as 23-year-old Ugochukwu Ilodigwe.

Police were responding to a “request for service” 911 call the morning of Aug. 7, Rouse said. Such calls are a public service in which residents request that police take them somewhere, Rouse said.

The DA’s office played body camera footage that showed the chaotic, deadly incident.

When the officer arrived, she was attacked and fell to the ground, video shows. Ilodigwe could be seen holding a “meat-cutting” knife in the footage, Rouse noted. He said the knife was about a foot long. Ilodigwe could be heard shouting, “shoot me, don’t shoot me” in the video.

The officer shouted “Taser, Taser, Taser!” and shot Ilodigwe with the stun gun, video shows. He fell to the ground, and she repeatedly ordered him to put his hands behind his back. Rouse pointed out that Ilodigwe could be seen reaching for the knife as he lay on the ground. He also could be heard saying he had a gun, Rouse said.

“She pleads with the decedent, pleads with him to stop. He makes no indication that he is going to relent,” Rouse said. “We have every reason to believe that he intended her grave bodily harm, life threatening bodily harm.”

Eventually, Ilodigwe got up and was shot again with the Taser. When it did not stop him, the officer shot him twice, the video shows.

The officer has been cleared to return to active duty, said Aldan borough Mayor Michael Ceci.

“This was a tragic event all around. The conclusion of this investigation doesn’t change the fact that a family has lost a loved one, and we recognize the grief they are experiencing,” Ceci said.

By Friday afternoon, Ilodiwge’s family had raised more than $4,500 for burial costs on GoFundMe. Contacted Thursday, Ilodigwe’s sister, Kenechukwu, declined to comment and did not respond to a request for comment Friday.

“I am creating this fundraiser to help my family lay my brother to rest after his sudden and heartbreaking death. He was killed recently in a situation with the police, and our lives have been changed forever,” said a post attributed to his sister, Kenechukwu Ilodigwe.

She said Ugochukwu was a “bright, giving person” who loved football, jokes, “and how big his dreams and aspirations were.”

“He had the kind of heart that could brighten anyone’s day, and he would give to someone in need even if it meant going without himself. Losing him so abruptly has left us in deep pain, and it is especially hard knowing I did not get the chance to say goodbye.”