Montco DA Weighing Charges Against Hatboro Councilman Who Shot Bank Robbery Suspect
By Jim Melwert
HATBORO, Pa. (CBS) -- Hero or vigilante? That's one of the questions being asked after Hatboro councilmember George Forgeng followed a suspected bank robber earlier this week, then shot him in the arm and hand.
Could Forgeng face criminal charges?
Matthew Quigg, the former captain of the Montgomery County DA's office firearms unit and now a defense attorney, says the DA's office has a lot to sort out.
"They'll have to look at the forensic evidence first and foremost," he tells KYW Newsradio. For example, do the locations of the injuries match up with the shooter's account of the incident?
Under Pennsylvania law, the use of deadly force is allowed when someone has a reasonable belief that there is danger of death or serious bodily injury.
"Generally speaking, you do need to retreat, and they couldn't have any part in provoking the circumstances that led to the need to use deadly force," Quigg explains.
According to investigators, Forgeng told them he was outside the bank, saw the dye pack explode in Kevin Way's backpack, then followed Way, telling him he had a gun and ordering him to the ground.
After about a quarter-mile, Forgeng says, the 6'4", 250-pound Way turned and started walking toward him, at one point saying, "Go ahead and shoot me," before Forgeng fired.
According to officials, Forgeng has a concealed-carry permit for a handgun.
