Jose Efrain Rodriguez, 18

Lancaster City, Pennsylvania
January 24, 2017

Agencies: Lancaster City Bureau of Police Pennsylvania

Cause of death: Shooting


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Last updated: almost 6 years ago

Overview

“At this point in time, the investigation shows Mr. Rodriguez fired at police and, in turn, was shot by police,” according to a press release.

Rodriguez died at Lancaster General Hospital, according to Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday morning.

The officers, who have not been identified, weren’t injured.

Brett Hambright, spokesman for the district attorney’s office, said that details of the interaction were not being released Tuesday but did say that officers deployed their Tasers during the encounter.

He said officials are continuing to review surveillance footage of the area to determine how much of the incident may have been captured.

There are several Lancaster Safety Coalition cameras in the area of the shooting.

Hambright declined to say how many shots were fired or how many times Rodriguez was struck.

The district attorney's office, led by District Attorney Craig Stedman and Chief County Detective Kent Switzer, are coordinating the investigation.

In a press release, Stedman and Switzer said they “will make a determination on the police action at a later time.”

“The district attorney will review all reports and evidence, including any available surveillance footage of the incident. At that point, the district attorney will make a determination and the information will be promptly released to the public,” according to the press release.

As is standard practice, the officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave until the investigation is complete, police Chief Keith Sadler said Tuesday night.

He said he could not comment on the incident or ongoing investigation.

“What I can say is, that the most important thing for us and for the families of the officers involved is that the officers weren’t hurt,” Sadler said.

Officials did not schedule a press conference to discuss the shooting, with the district attorney's office stating it would be more appropriate after more information is gathered.

Rodriguez is originally from New York and was recently staying on South Queen Street, according to the district attorney's office.