BUTLER, Pa. — A police officer in Butler, Pennsylvania was critically injured from a stabbing, which ultimately led to a fatal shooting on Tuesday, according to state police officials.
The fatal encounter began when the officer responded to a report of a “male acting erratically and jumping in and out of oncoming traffic” just before 7 a.m. in the city of Butler, which is just north of Pittsburgh, Fox News reported.
Upon arrival, the unnamed officer immediately crossed paths with the suspect and the pair began to struggle, the Pennsylvania State Police said in a press statement.
“During the struggle the officer was stabbed multiple times,” according to law enforcement authorities. “After being wounded, the Butler city Officer discharged his department issued firearm, striking and fatally wounding the male.”
UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE
To The Officer Involved Shooting pic.twitter.com/prTdGm10j9— Trooper Cazy (@PSPTroopDPIO) August 24, 2021
The 27-year-old wounded officer was rushed via helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital. His medical condition was described as critical but stable as he was reportedly headed into surgery.
Police said the officer is a three-year veteran with prior service as a Marine.
John Ebberts, 35, a resident of Butler, was identified as the decedent.
The Pennsylvania State Police and the Butler County District Attorney’s Office are conducting the investigation.
