Officers Cleared In Fatal Shooting Of Man On PCP In Pottstown: DA

POTTSTOWN, PA — Police officers involved in the fatal shooting of a man who was high on PCP have been cleared of wrongdoing following an investigation into the incident, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office announced Friday.

The incident occurred back on April 10 at a home on the 300 block of W. King Street. Several neighbors called police with concerns about a possible physical altercation inside the home.

Just after 8 p.m. that evening two Pottstown officers arrived and heard a "thumping" sound inside, according to the DA. The officers announced "Pottstown police" twice and then entered the home.

Immediately upon entering the home, they encountered the armed man, Jonathan Adams, holding a gun as he came down the steps, according to the findings of the investigation.

Police ordered Adams, who had both PCP and marijuana in his blood at the time of his death, to drop his weapon. However, Adams refused, and fired a shot at one of the officers, missing him.

Officers returned fired and hit Adams several times, ultimately killing him.

“Disturbance calls can be some of the most dangerous calls a police officer responds to," District Attorney Kevin Steele said in a statement. "They acted by discharging their firearms to put a stop to the risk to themselves, each other and others inside and outside of the house. Our investigation determined the facts of this case supported the use of deadly force."

In addition, two children were found, unharmed, hiding upstairs in a bedroom.

The investigation determined that the Glock carried by Adams was registered to his girlfriend, and that Adams was not legally allowed to possess a firearm.