Man killed in officer-involved shooting in Ligonier Township

LIGONIER TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Officials have identified the man shot and killed in an officer-involved shooting in Ligonier Township.

Robbie Thomas Saunders, 59, was armed with a machete when he aggressively approached officers from the front door of a home on Gravel Hill Road Sunday, according to the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office.

Saunders was shot once and died after being transported to Conemaugh Memorial Hospital in Johnstown.

Ligonier Valley Police were initially called to the address for the report of a domestic disturbance at around 3:50 p.m.

Authorities say no officers were injured.

The officers involved are on administrative leave until the investigation wraps up.

State police and Westmoreland County detectives are investigating and the DA will review the evidence and will determine if the use of deadly force was justified.

The Ligonier Township police chief told Channel 11 he’s been employed at the department since 1993 and there hasn’t been an officer-involved shooting there in his time.

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