Washington County

Washington County officials investigating after officer-involved fatal shooting

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — The Washington County District Attorney will review dashcam video after an officer-involved deadly shooting on Saturday.

District Attorney Jason Walsh says Pennsylvania State Police troopers do not wear body cameras, but that the shooting was captured on dashcam.

Troopers responded to Washington Crown Center for a report of a retail theft from Rural King. Police gathered information on the suspect’s car that fled the scene. A trooper saw the car in Mount Pleasant Township and conducted a traffic stop at Westland Road at Main Street.

Police said the driver was taken into custody during the traffic stop but the passenger, identified as 26-year-old Dennis Fonoimoana by the Washington County Coroner’s Office, refused to exit the car. Police say Fonoimoana refused verbal commands to exit the vehicle and brandished a firearm. That was when he was shot and killed.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

“I can’t comment on specifics of the investigation, but there was a weapon found, as it was in PSP press release. Other than that, I’m not going to comment,” Walsh said.

Police have not said what the two suspects were accused of stealing from the store, but Walsh said the driver was taken into custody and released without being charged. Walsh says they could still file charges in the case.

“State police have been working diligently around the clock to get the investigation concluded, it will still take some time because then I have to review it all,” Walsh said.

The district attorney says Fonoimoana had warrants out for his arrest, but wouldn’t specify what those charges were. Court dockets show mainly misdemeanor theft and drug charges in Washington County and several felony theft charges out of Allegheny County.

A close friend of Fonoimoana tells Channel 11 he had a big heart and no history of violence. He was shocked to hear of Fonoimoana’s death.

The trooper has been placed on administrative duties, as per Pennsylvania State Police’s regulations.