Investigation Concludes Officer-Involved Shooting of Mary Meister in Upper Moreland Township

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Investigation Concludes Officer-Involved Shooting in Upper Moreland Township as Lawful Use of Force

On October 8th, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele made an announcement regarding an officer-involved fatal shooting that took place earlier that evening in Upper Moreland Township. In an update today, Steele’s office has concluded the investigation, determining that the shooting was a lawful use of force.

The incident began when Upper Moreland Township police and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) responded to a distressing call at approximately 5:00pm. The call reported that a woman was seen waving a gun outside her residence. The woman has been identified as Mary Meister, a 69-year-old resident of the 100 block of Evans Avenue in Willow Grove. The name of the officer involved in the shooting has not been released.

According to officials, when the responding officers and EMTs arrived at the scene, Meister pointed the gun at the medical personnel and refused to comply with their instructions to drop the weapon. She then turned the gun towards the officers, prompting one of them to discharge their weapon. Meister was immediately taken to Abington Hospital but was pronounced dead later that night.

The identity of the shooting officer has not been disclosed by authorities.

The Montgomery County Detective Bureau conducted the investigation, as per protocol for any officer-involved shooting in the county. Their findings revealed that the incident began at 5:06pm on Sunday, October 8th, when emergency personnel and police arrived in response to a 911 call reporting a suicidal female armed with a firearm. As paramedics approached Meister’s residence in an ambulance, she stood at the front door and aimed her firearm at them. The ambulance continued driving away while the EMTs informed the arriving police officers of the situation.

Upon the arrival of Upper Moreland police officers, Meister was found on the front porch holding a silver handgun. One of the officers initiated negotiations with her, spending over 12 minutes pleading for her to put down the weapon and engage in conversation. However, Meister persistently refused to comply. Another officer from the Hatboro Police Department arrived at the scene with a less-lethal weapon and fired four rubber batons at Meister, hitting her once in the leg. After briefly checking her leg, Meister raised her weapon and pointed it directly at the officers. In response, an Upper Moreland police officer fired their weapon, causing Meister to fall to the ground. Police immediately provided medical assistance, and she was then rushed to Abington Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 5:48pm.

Investigators discovered a silver Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver next to Meister’s body. It was later determined that Meister purchased the firearm on August 25, 2023. Additionally, a handwritten note indicating her intention to commit suicide was found inside her residence.

District Attorney Steele commented on the investigation, stating, “Officers arrived on the scene, and an experienced negotiator talked with Meister, attempting to convince her to put down her firearm. But she repeatedly refused and instead, pointed the firearm directly at officers. Our investigation determined the facts of this case supported the use of deadly force, and therefore, did not warrant any criminal charge against the officer involved.”

Under Section 508 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, the use of deadly force by law enforcement officers is justified only when they believe it is necessary to prevent death or serious bodily injury to themselves or others. Furthermore, deadly force is also justified to prevent the escape of a person who possesses a deadly weapon or poses a threat to human life or serious bodily injury.

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Photo: Fleuhr.com.