Pa. Troopers Return Fire, Kill Man During Mental Health Visit
Bullet Hits Gun Holster Outside Mercer County House
POSTED: 4:45 pm EDT March 27, 2009
UPDATED: 11:52 pm EDT March 27, 2009

MERCER, Pa. –– Pennsylvania State Police troopers killed a man while returning gunfire at his home in Mercer County, where mental health caseworkers were trying to conduct an evaluation Friday afternoon.

Capt. Scott Neal said workers from the county's Mental Health/Mental Retardation department had asked troopers to accompany them as they visited Walter J. McGarvey Jr. in Delaware Township.

"He had been acting in such a manner that the MH/MR received a request from the family to come up and evaluate him, and there was also a suspicion, fear, that he may have had access to weapons, so that's why mental health called us and asked us to respond with them," Neal said.

Video: State Police News Conference

Two troopers saw McGarvey on the property outside his River Road home and began talking with him, also noticing a handgun in his belt. He was struck with Tasers after failing to comply with various commands to release his weapon, Neal said.

"The Tasers were ineffective. We don't know exactly why. He had a lot of clothing on. Maybe it was the thickness of his clothing or whatever," Neal said.

McGarvey ran across the street and was chased by troopers for about 100 yards until he stopped, drew his gun and shot at them, Neal said. The troopers returned fire, killing McGarvey.

One of McGarvey's shots struck a gun holster and a gun on one of the troopers, leaving the trooper with a "superficial" hand wound, Neal said.

"He was treated and released. He's fine, physically," Neal said.

Neither of the troopers' names has been released. Both have been put on administrative duties while the police department and the district attorney's office investigate.

Quoted:
If someone calls mental health government servants on you, and you just refuse to talk to them, is there anything they can do about it?

Quoted:

What was his ARFcom screen name?


[21 gun salute]






[/21 gun salute]

McGarvey ran across the street and was chased by troopers for about 100 yards until he stopped, drew his gun and shot at them, Neal said. The troopers returned fire, killing McGarvey.

Quoted:
What was his ARFcom screen name?
[21 gun salute] [/21 gun salute]

Quoted:
What was his ARFcom screen name?
[21 gun salute] [/21 gun salute]