Police: Paramedic responding to call threatened by drunk man with shovel

FAYETTE COUNTY, Pa.,None — Police in Fayette County said a paramedic who was called to a help a woman at a motel in Fayette County was threatened by a drunk man with a shovel.

State police said the 29-year-old paramedic was attempting to make contact with a woman who reportedly was having heart problems.

Investigators said when the EMT arrived at Hope Motel on Route 119 in Bullskin Township, the man came out of another room and began threatening and swinging a shovel at the EMS worker.

The victim told police that the man threatened to shoot him. That's when the victim said he and a co-worker were able to get into the room they were called to and had to lock themselves in until state police arrived.

"I had to back up. He was still coming at me. I put my hand out to hold him back at his chest. At that point, he started yelling and grabs a shovel that is leaning against the wall," said paramedic Jason Bartholomai.

Police said when they got to the scene 58-year-old Robert Shaner refused to show both of his hands when he answered the door. Troopers said they had to restrain Shaner and he was eventually arrested.

According to the police report, Shaner smelled of alcohol and appeared highly intoxicated.

Pennsylvania state law prohibits paramedics from carrying weapons. Fayette EMS chief Rick Adobato said it's a disaster waiting to happen.

"We have attempted to change that at the state level. It's a slow process. I think someone is going to end up getting killed before something happens," Adobato said.

Shaner is facing aggravated assault, terroristic threats, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest, harassment and public drunkenness.

WPXI