Joseph Santos, 44

Allentown, Pennsylvania
July 28, 2018

Cause of death: Shooting


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Overview

Joseph Santos, 44, of Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, was wounded at 5:44 p.m. after he refused to get down on the ground when ordered several times to do so by the officer, according to a video of the incident. He was pronounced dead at 6:08 p.m. at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Salisbury Township.

The officer remains on paid administrative leave and Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the shooting.

Police responded after the Bergen County man allegedly banged on passing cars in the 3700 block of Hamilton Boulevard near Dorney Park.

"The guy was behaving, what I would characterize as, bizarrely," Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin said.

After refusing the officer's commands, Santos is seen in the video walking back toward the officer and as he gets near, the officer fires five shots and the man drops.

Legal Action

The cause of death was labeled a homicide, according to the Lehigh Valley Coroner’s Office.

August 2018 

A police officer is now charged with voluntary manslaughter after shooting and killing a New Jersey man near Allentown. In September 2018, the officer involved lost his job after being charged.

The officer reportedly admitted he was wrong when he shot and killed an unarmed man.