Reading police fatally shoot armed man in barbecue dispute, reports say

A Reading man was killed by city police after allegedly pointing a shotgun at officers during a dispute over a neighbor's backyard barbecue, according to media reports. Officers were called about 8 p.m. Friday for a report of a man pointing a weapon over...

Reading police fatally shoot armed man in barbecue dispute, reports say

A Reading man was killed by city police after allegedly pointing a shotgun at officers during a dispute over a neighbor's backyard barbecue, according to media reports.

Officers were called about 8 p.m. Friday for a report of a man pointing a weapon over a backyard fence, per reports by The Reading Eagle, WFMZ-TV and The Associated Press. The group, including six children, went back into the house for safety, the reports say.

WFMZ cited a witness as saying the man was upset over someone smoking on his property.

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The man, whose identity was not released but estimated to be in his 60s, was reportedly sitting on his front porch with a shotgun when police arrived. An officer fired several shots when the man pointed his weapon at police, the reports say.

The man was pronounced dead at 9:05 p.m. and the investigation is being conducted by the Berks County District Attorney's Office.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

 

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