Lancaster County District Attorney's Office determines homicide was justified
The Lancaster County District Attorney's Office has ruled that a January shooting that killed a man was justified.
No charges will be filed in the death of 35-year-old Hector Burgos-Torres, according to prosecutors.
Video above: Scene of the shooting
Investigators said Burgos-Torres had two guns when he confronted two men shortly before 4 a.m. on Jan. 8 outside an apartment complex in West Hempfield Township. He demanded money and forced the men inside an apartment, investigators said.
After Burgos-Torres threatened a female resident at gunpoint, one of the men tried to take the guns from him. The man was hit several times in the head in the struggle.
During that struggle, the second man grabbed a gun from a closet. Investigators said he shot Burgos-Torres multiple times, killing him.
Police recovered the 9mm handgun and revolver that Burgos-Torres had with him. Both guns had reportedly been stolen by Burgos-Torres in East Hempfield Township the evening before the shooting.
The district attorney's office determined the use of deadly force was legally justified, as the shooter believed deadly force was necessary to protect himself and the others in the apartment.
Police also seized the firearm used in the killing. Investigators discovered it had been reported stolen in 2017 by its owner in Manheim Township.
The man will be charged with person not to possess a firearm and receiving stolen property. He is also facing a drug charge in connection with a small amount of marijuana seized during the shooting investigation, police said.
