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Johnstown police shoot, kill man in accelerating car
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The 27-year-old driver of a car that accelerated toward Johnstown police who had stopped another car was killed after offers opened fire.
The Cambria County coroner's office identified the driver as Elip Cheatham. Pennsylvania State Police spokesman Trooper John Matchik said Mr. Cheatham died from gunshot wounds believed to be from the Johnstown police officers' shots.
Trooper Matchik said Johnstown police pursued a fleeing car just after midnight after shots were heard outside Edder's Den, a bar in the Oakhurst section of Johnstown.
After finally stopping the car police had gathered around it near a Johnstown middle school when a second car approached quickly, accelerating from the direction of Edder's Den.
Officers ordered the driver to stop the car, Trooper Matchik said. When it didn't, they fired until the car stopped, he said.
Mr. Cheatham was pronounced dead at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center.
A passenger in his car was treated there released. Another passenger's condition is unknown.
The investigation is ongoing. No charges have been filed. No police were injured.
It remains unclear whether the people in the first and second cars knew each other.
First Published June 25, 2012 3:04 pm
