Aiexpress – Payden Sells was shooting at police when they returned fire, killing him on February 23, according to Trooper James Grothey in a release.
At around 11:17 p.m., PSP York Troopers were dispatched to help local police with a “domestic incident” in the 600 block of Colonial Avenue in Spring Garden Township, according to Grothey.
Troopers immediately discovered that the 911 caller had “reported that there was an actor on scene with multiple firearms, attempting to gain access to the residence,” according to the announcement.
York City, Springettsbury Township, York County Regional, and West York Borough police forces also responded to assist.
It is unclear which police officers or troopers observed Sells leaving the residence, but Sells “began actively shooting a firearm in the direction of law enforcement officers.” “Law enforcement officers on the scene returned fire, killing Sells,” Grothey stated.
At 11:39 p.m., deputy coroners Jackie Heffner and Michelle Rau were dispatched to the scene to investigate and certify the death, according to a separate release from the York County Coroner’s office.
Sells was pronounced dead at 12:58 a.m., according to the coroner’s report, but Coroner Pam Gay was unaware of his name, age, or address.
Gay stated that the reason and manner of death are pending the findings of an autopsy, expected at a later date.
The Pennsylvania State Police, Troop J Major Case Team, and detectives from the York County District Attorney’s Office are all looking into this fatal shooting.
“One officer suffered minor injuries as a result of the incident,” Grothey said, adding that no bystanders were hurt.
“All troopers and officers who discharged their duty weapons will be placed on administrative duty pending a review of the investigation by the York County District Attorney’s Office,” according to an announcement from the Pennsylvania State Patrol.
Sells was a father who had been married for around two years, although according to his social media, he was separated at the time of his death.
He was a Spring Grove Township native who attended South Western Senior High School, according to his Facebook profile. He previously worked as a heavy equipment operator in Maryland.
Further information regarding his life was not immediately available.
More information concerning this scenario is scheduled to be revealed later today by the district attorney’s office. Please check back here for updates.
