Here is an update on the Jan. 24, police-involved shooting incident, which is under review by Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman and Chief County Detective Kent Switzer. Jose E. Rodriguez, 18, died in the incident which happened in southeastern Lancaster city.
District Attorney Stedman, who will make final determination on the police action, is still awaiting all reports, evidence, video footage, and other information pertinent to the case, but has reviewed what has been submitted to date.
In addition, we will await the results of laboratory/forensic testing of ballistic evidence and other evidence gathered from the incident and are in the process of attempting to enhance some of the video evidence, all of which will take some time.
At the time of District Attorney Stedman’s determination, we anticipate a thorough release of details about the incident, to include video footage. Releasing that information at this point would be detrimental to the investigation.
To note, our office has been in contact with Mr. Rodriguez’s immediate family. Specifically, contact was made with Mr. Rodriguez’s next of kin the day of the incident and there have been multiple conversations since that time.
We will not publicly disclose our determination and findings prior to communicating with Mr. Rodriguez’s immediate family, as per standard procedure.
Also, in the process of our reviewing video surveillance footage of this incident, it has become clear that several other individuals were in the immediate vicinity of this shooting incident when it took place. We are asking those individuals to contact the Lancaster County District Attorney's office at 717-390-7771 and ask for a detective.
This office is committed to a comprehensive review of all the facts before making any conclusions. We are equally committed to publically disclosing those facts as soon as possible after the investigation is complete.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright