Armed man shot by police, arrested

He pointed rifle during confrontation, police say

A Robeson Township man was shot during an armed confrontation with police and later charged with attempted murder of an officer and related offenses.

Stephen D. Shank, 53, underwent treatment for a gunshot wound to the chest and was arraigned Wednesday afternoon, said Michael J. Gombar, chief Berks County detective.

Shank was shot during a confrontation at close range with a township officer shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday at his residence in the first block of Lloyd Lane, detectives said.

The officer’s name was withheld by detectives without explanation.

Shank was committed to county prison in lieu of $500,000 bail after arraignment before District Judge David E. Glass on the attempted murder charge and related assault and weapons offenses. Detectives gave this account: Berks County Communications received a call from the block at 8:40 p.m. for a neighbor dispute, and dispatched the township officer.

The officer arrived a few

minutes later and met with the complainant, whose name was not provided.

During the interview inside the complainant’s residence, there was a gunshot nearby outside.

The officer ran out the door, saw no one, and ran around a corner of the building.

The officer encountered Shank, who was holding a rifle pointed at the officer.

The officer engaged Shank and fired, with the bullet striking Shank in the chest.

The officer then retreated, seeking cover and lost sight of Shank, continuing to yell commands at the suspect. Shank yelled that he was hit and retreated to his secondfloor apartment.

The officer reported to county 9-1-1 that shots were fired and numerous police swarmed the property within a few minutes.

The Berks County Emergency Response Team was requested and mobilized, and that unit eventually arrived at the scene.

Shank was taken into custody inside the bedroom of his apartment. A time frame was not provided. Neighbors reported hearing negotiations via loudspeaker.

Shank was treated at the scene, then taken to a hospital.

“At this time the investigation revealed that the defendant, Stephen Douglas Shank, acted alone and there are no suspects at large,” a press release reads. “There is no further threat or safety concern to the community.”