August 07, 2015
Joshua Malave Candlelight Vigil /Facebook
Joshua Malave, 18, was killed by police who encountered him burglarizing a gun shop in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.
A Cinnaminson teenager who was fatally shot by police in Pennsylvania on Monday stole a total of 81 guns from Horseshoe Pike Gun Shop in Campbelltown, Lebanon County District Attorney David Arnold said following an inventory conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
Just before 6 a.m. on Monday, South Londonderry police responded to a report of a burglary in progress. When they arrived at the scene, they encountered 18-year-old Joshua Malave outside the shop, the Courier-Post reports.
Malave reportedly fled from police into a soybean field and fired at least one shot at authorities before he was struck and killed. According to Arnold, Malave had filled up rifle bags with handguns, which were later found in the grass outside the shop and strewn about the field where the shooting took place.
The investigation remains in its early stages and authorities have not released the name of the shooting officer, how many shots were fired, or whether Malave was the first to initiate gunfire.
According to the Burlington County Times, Malave and three other teenagers had been arrested on July 9 in Delran after reports of gunfire near Lake Lonnie. At the time, he was charged with possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, hindering apprehension, and resisting arrest, but posted $50,000 bail and was released from the Burlington County Jail on July 16.
It is not yet clear whether Malave acted alone and why he was in central Pennsylvania at the time of the incident.
Horseshoe Pike Gunshop owners Jim and Cheryl Heverling released the following statement on Facebook and have reopened their shop.
“First and foremost, we would like to thank the local, state, and federal law enforcement officers for their quick response and their dedication as they continue the investigation. We would also like to thank the many people that have reached out to offer their concern and support to our family. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family.”
Prior to the shooting, Malave was employed as a home deliveryman at a ShopRite supermarket on Route 130. He had graduated from Cinnaminson High School in June. A candlelight vigil was held for him at Memorial Park in Cinnaminson on August 3.
