Man faces felony charges in Allentown incident
Police have charged the suspect in an officer-involved shooting in Allentown Friday night.
On Saturday, the driver, Paris Bartlett, 47, of Allentown, was arraigned and charged with 24 counts, including four counts of aggravated assault, felonies, and one charge of fleeing or attempting to elude an officer.
Bail for Bartlett was set at $200,000 and Bartlett was confined to the Lehigh County Jail.
Upon further investigation, it was determined by medical personnel that Bartlett was not struck by gunfire.
It happened at 5:41 p.m. Friday in the vicinity of South 3rd Street and West Union Street, Allentown.
State troopers and officers from the Allentown Police Department were jointly conducting traffic enforcement throughout the city and a traffic stop was conducted in the area of South 3rd Street and West Union Street for a violation. Police did not detail the reason but Bartlett is also charged for a stop sign violation, reckless driving, a small amount of marijuana and driving with a suspended license.
During the traffic stop, a trooper fired two rounds from a department-issued Sig Sauer P227 handgun. It was initially reported that Bartlett was injured, but police said Monday he was not.
Following the shooting, Bartlett fled the scene, and continued to drive onto South Carlisle Street, where his vehicle struck other vehicles and came to rest in the 500 block of South Carlisle Street, Allentown.
Bartlett was taken from the scene by Allentown EMS to St. Luke’s Hospital Fountain Hill. A motorist who was struck by Bartlett’s vehicle was also transported to a hospital for minor injuries.
This incident is being investigated by the PSP Troop M Major Case Team. Assisting are Troop M Forensic Services Unit, Troop M Collision Analysis Reconstruction Unit, City of Allentown Police Department, and the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office.