Executive Summary
- Shots fired during a domestic incident in Washington County prompted a police response.
- Washington & Jefferson College issued a temporary shelter-in-place order.
- Suspect identified as Coles faces charges including aggravated assault and firearms offenses.
- No injuries were reported; the suspect has been ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation.
Authorities in Washington County arrested a man on Sunday following a domestic incident involving gunfire that triggered a shelter-in-place order for a nearby college campus. According to the City of Washington Police Department, officers responded to reports of a male subject experiencing a PTSD episode and discharging a firearm in the vicinity of North Main Street.
While initial emergency dispatches directed law enforcement to 88 North Main Street, responding units quickly determined the shots were fired near 71 North Main Street. The active police operation necessitated the temporary closure of the 10 block of North Main Street. Concurrently, officials at Washington & Jefferson College issued a shelter-in-place alert to ensure the safety of students and faculty. Law enforcement confirmed that no injuries were reported during the incident.
The suspect, identified as Coles, was taken into custody at the scene. Authorities stated that he is currently undergoing a court-ordered mental health evaluation and receiving treatment. Court filings detail that Coles has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, and firearms offenses. The response effort involved coordination between the City of Washington Police, Pennsylvania State Police, South Strabane Township Police Department, and East Washington Police Department.
Legal & Procedural Outlook
This incident underscores the complex challenges law enforcement faces when responding to armed disturbances involving potential mental health crises. As the case proceeds, the results of the court-ordered evaluation will likely play a pivotal role in determining the suspect’s competency and the subsequent legal strategy regarding the filed charges. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
