DA says officer’s shooting of man was justified

EASTON, Pa. (AP) - An eastern Pennsylvania prosecutor says the shooting of a man last month by a police officer was justified use of deadly force.

Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli said Monday that the Dec. 9 death of 35-year-old Scott MacIntosh was a “tragedy” but said he “wanted a confrontation” and “was intent on that day to end his life.”

Authorities said MacIntosh had a machete and a handgun and didn’t respond to police commands, so he was shot by a Forks Township officer. Police said the firearm turned out to be a pellet gun but officers had no way of knowing that.

Officers were called to the home about a person believed to be having “a mental health issue.” Morganelli said MacIntosh was “tormented by a 10-year history of mental illness.”