ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office said an officer shot a woman who brandished a knife at the former Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital in Allentown.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Allentown Police and Emergency Services were called to 850 S. Fifth St. to provide aid to a woman who appeared to be in distress, according to a news release from the district attorney’s office.
When they approached to assist her, she brandished a knife and threatened the first responders, the DA’s office said.
The DA’s office said the woman was then shot once by an officer.
The woman received immediate emergency care and was taken to a local hospital where she underwent further medical treatment, according to the news release.
According to the DA’s office, the woman was not a patient or a resident of Good Shepherd.
This matter remains under investigation by the Allentown Police Department and the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office.
The DA’s office said this was not an active shooter event and “this office is confident that there is no current risk to the public arising from this incident.”
According to a Facebook post from Good Shepherd Rehabilitation, the facility where the incident happened had no longer been in operation, and the organization stated it was “aware of and cooperating with the Allentown Police Department on an isolated incident”.
Good Shepherd officials emphasized that the situation did not involve any current patients, residents, or employees.
“All of our patients, residents and staff are safe, and there is no ongoing threat to safety,” said Carry Gerber, vice president of advancement and marketing.