State police: Man shot by troopers answering domestic dispute call

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — State troopers who were called to a domestic disturbance in Washington County early Wednesday shot a man who they say charged at them.

Troopers responded to a call about 12:30 a.m. regarding 20-year-old Steven Ward. His mother reported to police that Ward was at a home on Bethel Ridge Road in Avella and was threatening his family.

Relatives told police Ward was drunk, pushing, biting, throwing things and told them when troopers arrived he wanted to "rush them so they kill me."

When troopers arrived, Ward ran out of a house trailer with a 10-inch knife in his hand, charging toward troopers. When he did not respond to commands to drop the weapon, two troopers fired two shots. Ward was airlifted to Allegheny General Hospital in critical condition.

Family members told police Ward had been drinking vodka and got into an argument with his stepsister. During the incident, according to his family, he shoved his grandmother onto the couch, pushed his father onto a heater, bit his father in the chest, and bit and threw items.

One family member told police Ward was pacing outside, saying he had a bad life and nobody cared about him. Multiple neighbors told Channel 11 they could hear screaming, but didn't know what was going on.

Another family member told investigators that when police arrived, Ward was walking quickly toward them with something in his hand. They heard his father yell, "Drop the knife," then heard two shots.

Ward was shot in the torso and shoulder. He faces more than a dozen charges, from felony aggravated assault to harassment.

The officers were not hurt. They were assigned to administrative duties while the investigation continues.

Cox Media Group