ALLENTOWN, PA — The Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office has cleared an Allentown police officer in a shooting that occurred at the former Good Shepherd Hospital on Jan. 11, 2026.
District Attorney Gavin Holihan announced no criminal charges will be filed against the officer, who shot a woman after she pointed what appeared to be a weapon at him while also holding a knife.
The incident occurred at approximately 5:50 p.m. at 850 South 5th St.
According to the investigation, the woman knocked on a hospital window and told a security guard she was being abused and needed emergency medical services.
When the officer and two medics entered the lobby to assist her, the woman stood up brandishing a knife.
One medic yelled that she had a knife, and all three responders backed away.
The officer gave 16 verbal commands over approximately 45 seconds for the woman to drop the knife, which she refused to do.
The woman made statements including “It’s just a knife” and “Are you serious?” while waving the knife around.
The officer attempted to transition from his firearm to a taser to use less-than-lethal force.
Before he could complete the transition, the woman turned toward him holding the knife in one hand and what appeared to be a gun or taser in the other.
She raised her right arm and extended the object at the officer in what he described as a firing manner.
The officer fired one round, striking the woman in the pelvis area.
The object was later determined to be a digital infrared thermometer, also known as a “temperature gun.”
After being shot, the woman discarded both items and yelled “That wasn’t a gun” repeatedly.
The officer, both medics and additional responders provided emergency medical treatment.
The woman survived the shooting.
A large pair of kitchen shears was also found in her pocket during treatment.
Both medics told investigators they feared for their safety during the incident.
The incident was recorded on the officer’s body-worn camera and hospital surveillance video.
Holihan concluded the officer’s use of force was justified under Pennsylvania law, stating the officer reasonably believed the woman posed an imminent risk of death or serious bodily injury.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Allentown Police Department and the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office Homicide Task Force.