Upper Moreland Township Police Officer Cleared in Fatal Shooting of Mary Meister

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Upper Moreland Township Police Officer Cleared in Fatal Shooting of 69-Year-Old Woman

UPPER MORELAND TOWNSHIP, PA — An Upper Moreland Township police officer has been exonerated in the tragic incident that resulted in the death of a 69-year-old woman, who had brandished a firearm at the officers, according to authorities.

Montgomery County District Attorney, Kevin R. Steele, announced that a comprehensive investigation into the events of October 8 has been concluded, with the conclusion that the Upper Moreland Township police officer’s use of force was lawful. This investigation was carried out by the Montgomery County Detective Bureau, as per established protocol for any officer-involved shooting within Montgomery County.

The incident unfolded at approximately 5:06 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, when emergency medical personnel and police responded to a distressing 911 call reporting a potentially armed and suicidal female. Paramedics arrived at the scene in an ambulance, only to find the woman, later identified as Mary Meister, standing at the front door, pointing a firearm in their direction. The ambulance promptly retreated, and the EMTs immediately informed the arriving police officers about the dangerous situation they had encountered.

Upon the arrival of the Upper Moreland police officers at the scene, Meister was found on the front porch, clutching a silver handgun. One of the officers initiated a negotiation with Meister, diligently attempting for over 12 minutes to persuade her to relinquish the weapon and engage in a conversation. Unfortunately, Meister obstinately refused to comply with their requests.

In an attempt to subdue Meister without resorting to lethal force, a Hatboro police officer arrived at the scene armed with a non-lethal weapon and fired four rubber batons at her. One of the batons struck Meister in the leg, causing her to inspect the injury momentarily before raising her weapon and aiming it directly at the officers.

Faced with an imminent threat to their lives, an Upper Moreland police officer discharged his weapon, resulting in Meister collapsing to the ground. Immediate medical attention was provided by the officers, and Meister was swiftly transported to Abington Memorial Hospital. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, she was pronounced dead at 5:48 p.m.

During the subsequent investigation, detectives found a silver Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver near Meister’s body. It was discovered that Meister had purchased the firearm on August 25. Additionally, a handwritten note outlining her intention to commit suicide was discovered within her residence.

“Officers arrived at the scene, and an experienced negotiator engaged in a dialogue with Meister, persistently urging her to drop her firearm. However, she repeatedly defied their pleas and instead pointed the weapon directly at the officers,” stated District Attorney Steele. “Based on our investigation, the facts of this case unquestionably support the use of deadly force, and therefore, no criminal charges are warranted against the officer involved.”

In Pennsylvania, the use of deadly force by law enforcement officers is strictly regulated under Section 508 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code. According to this law, a law enforcement officer is justified in using such force only when they genuinely believe it is necessary to prevent death or serious bodily harm to themselves or others. Furthermore, deadly force can also be employed to prevent the escape of an individual who possesses a deadly weapon or demonstrates a clear intention to endanger human life or inflict serious bodily injury unless apprehended promptly.

This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the immense challenges faced by law enforcement officers who must make split-second decisions in life-threatening situations. The thorough investigation conducted by the Montgomery County Detective Bureau has allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the events that unfolded on that fateful day. The determination that the officer’s actions were justified provides some closure to a deeply distressing incident..