NORTH HUNTINGDON, Pa. — Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole W. Ziccarelli determined that a police officer was justified in firing his weapon at a suspect during an armed robbery call at the Walgreens in North Huntingdon Township.
Police responded to a reported robbery at a Walgreens near Magill Avenue and Route 30 on Sept. 2, where they encountered 41-year-old Sean Lane of Jeannette holding a revolver wrapped in a shirt. When Lane pointed the weapon toward officers, one officer fired his service weapon, causing Lane to drop to the ground. Neither Lane nor any responding officers were injured.
Investigators said Lane claimed he was experiencing opioid withdrawal symptoms prior to the incident. According to state police, Lane broke into a home in Jeannette through a window around 2 a.m. that morning and stole two Oxycontin pills before stealing a revolver from a home in Penn Borough several hours later.
At approximately 10 a.m., Lane entered the Walgreens near Norwin Hills Plaza with the weapon wrapped in a shirt and approached the pharmacy counter. Police said Lane displayed the handle of the gun and demanded Percocet pills. Surveillance video reviewed by state troopers showed Lane pointing the revolver at three employees inside the store.
After receiving two bottles of Percocet, Lane walked out to the parking lot, where North Huntingdon Township police officers ordered him to drop the gun and get on the ground. Instead of complying, investigators said Lane uncovered the firearm and pointed it toward the officers, prompting one officer to fire his service weapon.
Following a review of evidence, witness statements and police reports, District Attorney Ziccarelli concluded that the officer’s use of force was reasonable and proper due to the immediate threat of serious bodily injury or death.
Lane was arrested and charged with robbery, terroristic threats, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a firearm and reckless endangerment. He was denied bail.
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