FARRELL, PA (4-minute read) — A concealed carry permit holder reportedly assisted a Farrell police officer during a shootout early Friday morning. Mercer County District Attorney Peter C. Acker confirmed that the civilian, who had a valid concealed-carry permit, intervened by firing at the suspect.
The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. outside a convenience store on Indiana Avenue in Farrell. State police and detectives from the county district attorney’s office are investigating the event.
The suspect, a 49-year-old white man, was taken to Mercy Health St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown for life-threatening injuries after exchanging gunfire with the police. According to Acker, the suspect had been encountered by a Farrell police officer who discovered he was armed. The suspect refused to disarm and began shooting, prompting the officer and the bystander to return fire.
Even after being wounded, the suspect did not surrender his firearm. The police officer employed bean-bag rounds and used an armored personnel carrier from the Mercer County Critical Incident Response Team to eventually disarm the suspect. A total of over 40 bullets were fired, including 12 to 13 bean-bag rounds by the officer.
“When you have somebody with a firearm who has demonstrated that he’s willing to use it, you have to exercise great caution, which is what they did,” Acker noted.
The suspect was initially taken to UPMC Horizon hospital in Farrell and then flown by helicopter to St. Elizabeth for further treatment.
Safety Tip: Always be aware of your surroundings and understand the responsibilities that come with carrying a firearm. Proper training and adherence to safety protocols are crucial for all gun owners.
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