What We Know
Updated September 16, 2020 at 6:20 p.m. This page will be updated as new information is confirmed.
Officer Involved Shooting
Lancaster Bureau of Police responded to a residence on the 300 block of Laurel Street around 4:15 p.m. on Sunday, September 13 for a reported domestic disturbance.
A 27-year-old man, later identified as Ricardo Munoz, emerged from the residence and was armed with a knife.
An officer fired at Munoz, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Lancaster County District Attorney’s office is investigating, as is protocol for all officer-involved shootings in Lancaster County.
District Attorney Heather Adams will make a final determination on the use of force upon completion of the investigation.
Due to the active investigation, we are unable to confirm the mental health status of Munoz at this time.
Protests & Arrests
After the shooting, protesters gathered at the Lancaster Police Station, 39 W. Chestnut Street.
A group of ~100 protestors proceeded up the access ramp on the west side of the station. Officers asked them to leave the ramp several times using a public address system.
The group did not leave the ramp and chemical agents were used to disperse the crowd.
Lancaster Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) used foam projectiles. These were referred to as rubber bullets by the public on social media, but are a different implement than what is considered a rubber bullet.
At this time, 16 arrests have been made in connection with protests at the Police Station since Sunday, September 13. More information about these arrests can be found at the following links:
Rumors on social media that officers in plain clothes and unmarked vehicles made arrests are untrue. All arrests were made by officers in uniform. One arrest was made by an officer in an unmarked detective vehicle, however he was in full, clearly identifiable uniform at the time.
How Bail Works
The City of Lancaster nor the Bureau of Police are responsible for setting bail.
The process of setting bail is as follows:
Someone is charged with an offense.
That person goes before an independently elected Magisterial District Judge.
The Judge considers all factors: defendant testimony, counsel, law enforcement, anyone else who can provide information about the nature or severity of the charges, as well as the defendant’s contacts, employment, pre-existing charges or flight risk, etc.
The Judge sets whatever bail they think is appropriate. The primary purposes of bail are to ensure the defendant shows up for their hearing and to protect the community from further risk.
If there is a dispute on the amount of bail, there are established procedures to dispute it: the defendant with or without an attorney can submit a bail modification petition with the Court of Common Pleas. A Common Pleas Judge hears from the prosecution and defense and makes a determination if bail should be modified or not. This can happen within the span of a few days.
Related Links
Statement from Mayor Sorace – September 13, 2020
Full Press Conference – September 14, 2020
