1 Dead Following Police Standoff in Lower Saucon

Update: A spokesperson for the Northampton County District Attorney’s office said Thursday that it has received “numerous inquiries” and that the investigation into Wednesday’s officer-involved shooting on Applebutter Road in Lower Saucon Township is active and ongoing. “No further information will be released until the investigation is complete,” the statement said. “District Attorney (Stephen) Baratta and the Office of the District Attorney extend their sympathies to all affected by this incident.” As of 2 p.m. Thursday, no additional information had been released by the Lehigh County Coroner’s office.

A man was killed following a standoff involving police in the 2400 block of Applebutter Road in Lower Saucon Township, Northampton County, Wednesday afternoon.

Lehigh County Coroner Dan Buglio said the man he identified in a news release as “John Doe” was pronounced dead “as a result of gunshot injuries sustained during a police-related incident” at 2:45 p.m. in the Emergency Department at St. Luke’s University Hospital in Fountain Hill.

Buglio said an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of the man’s death would be conducted by his office Thursday.

According to Northampton County Emergency Management Services, the police-involved incident began around 11:30 a.m., which was when officials issued a shelter in place advisory for residents within half a mile of the standoff.

The incident occurred in a rural part of the township, not far from the Bethlehem Landfill and several other businesses.

The shelter in place advisory was lifted by late Thursday afternoon, however as of early Thursday evening Applebutter Road remained closed between Ringhoffer and Sherry Hill roads due to ongoing police activity.

Buglio’s office said that in addition to Lower Saucon Township Police, the Pennsylvania State Police Troop M Major Case Team and the Northampton County District Attorney’s office are actively investigating the shooting.

“At this time, the decedent’s name will not be released to allow for proper family identification,” he said.