ONTELAUNEE TWP., Pa. – Berks County District Attorney John Adams says police shot a man who allegedly pointed a rifle at them following a vehicle pursuit Thursday night.

Adams says 54-year-old Ryan Billings of the Fleetwood area led police on a pursuit yesterday, which eventually ended when officers used a “pit maneuver” to stop the vehicle in the area of Route 61 and Lake Shore Drive (Route 73.)

It all began just before 7 p.m. Thursday when Fleetwood Police were requested to do a welfare check on Billings after receiving reports that he was making threats to harm himself and had driven away from his home armed with an AR-15 style rifle and handgun.

“They were checking on him because he had made suicidal threats. Police and family were very concerned with his well-being,” said John Adams, Berks County District Attorney.

At approximately 11 p.m., a member of Kutztown Police Department spotted Billings’ vehicle and summoned additional officers prior to initiating a traffic stop.

Police attempted to pull Billings over on Moselem Springs Road, but he fled the scene down Route 61 and a vehicle pursuit was initiated.

Authorities say Billings refused commands to exit the vehicle once officers immobilized it with the pit maneuver. He allegedly displayed the rifle and point it toward officers, who fired multiple times striking both Billings and the vehicle.

“The defendant, Mr. Billings, was shot five times. However, he is in good condition. He does not have any life-threatening injuries and should survive,” said Adams.

Billings was transported via ambulance to Reading Hospital where he underwent treatment.

The incident closed down a stretch of Route 61 between Route 73 and Snyder Road in Ontelaunee Township for hours.

The road reopened around 9:30 a.m. Friday.

Billings is facing a long list of criminal charges, including simple assault, reckless endangerment and DUI. 

Meanwhile, the incident remains under investigation.

“We will need to determine whether or not the police officers who fired their weapons were justified in firing their weapons,” Adams added.