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Family supports coroner's inquest into deadly police shooting

CANTON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A Washington County mother grieving her son's death is hoping to finally get more answers.

Pennsylvania State Police troopers shot and killed Anthony Gallo last year when his mother called 911, hoping to get him mental help.

PREVIOUS STORY: Family says man 'wasn't himself' before he was shot, killed by police

Now the Washington County coroner has announced an inquest into his death.

Gallo's family members told Channel 11 they're grateful that the coroner is looking into the case, although they don't know what might come of it.

It's been four months since the 34-year-old Gallo was shot and killed by troopers at his mobile home, after they claim he had a mental breakdown.

"They didn't give Anthony a chance to put that knife down," said Betty Gray, his mother.

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Gray said she wanted her son placed under a 302 hold.

"That's why we called the cops and the ambulance, because he was having a mental breakdown," Gray said. "The officer told us to, 'Get the F out of the way.' They didn't even announce who they were, just said, 'Put your hands up' and then just started shooting him."

After the shooting, state police said the call had come in as a man wielding a knife, acting erratically and threatening neighbors, and troopers hadn't known if anyone else was in the trailer.

Witnesses that night don't know what to think about the coroner's inquest, but would like to see more training the use of nonlethal force.

"They definitely need more training," said Lauren Olshock, Gallo's cousin. "They need Tasers, bean bag guns, nonlethal force to deal with the mentally ill."

One of the things the family doesn't know is how many times Gallo was shot, and that number is expected to come out on Monday.

Channel 11 talked to the coroner, who said anytime someone dies in police custody or in jail, he always does an inquest.

In an inquest, there is no jury. The events that occurred surrounding the death are presented to the public.

In this case, the coroner has recused himself because the officer who shot Gallo has family that works for the county and for the coroner, so the deputy coroner will preside over the case.