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Details released in fatal officer-involved shooting in Allentown

Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin released information on the officer-involved shooting that happened Friday night in Allentown.

This involves the death of Xavier Arnold who has now been identified by the coroner of Lehigh County. Arnold was involved in a shooting incident with officers of the Allentown Police Department at 8:10 p.m. Friday near the area of Eighth and Maple streets in the city.

The investigation is being conducted by the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force with the assistance of the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, The Allentown Police Department, and the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office.

The investigation will include a detailed review of all available audio and video recording of the incident. While the investigation is ongoing, it is anticipated that there will be no further release of any of this evidence.

A semi-automatic handgun was recovered from the Arnold’s body at the scene of the shooting, along with shell casings that appear to have been fired from that handgun.

One of the officers was apparently struck by a projectile that penetrated his uniform shirt and nicked his protective vest. The officer was not injured.

The officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the full investigation.

An autopsy is scheduled for today.

The results of that autopsy will be a part of the investigation however, it may take weeks before the results are finalized.