Driver of car in fatal shootout with Chester police enters gulitypleas

MEDIA COURTHOUSE >> The driver of a car involved in a fatal shootout with police in March pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and possession of marijuana, both misdemeanors.

Rasheed Lamar Pernsley, 21, of Chester, was driving the silver Pontiac at the center of the gunfight that left 24-year-old Keith Montgomery Jr. dead and Chester Police Capt. Alan Davis wounded with two shots to his arm and torso.

Police were dispatched to Union and Parker streets in the city about 4 p.m. March 12 to investigate a report of a stolen vehicle. Police said gunfire erupted from inside the stopped car and officers returned fire.

“The persons within the vehicle were uncooperative with police. Then there was an exchange of gunfire,” Chester Police Chief James Nolan said following the shooting. “To our understanding, someone in the car began shooting at police. Police returned fire.”

Davis, a 26-year veteran of the police force, was transported to Crozer-Chester Medical Center, where he was declared in serious but stable condition and underwent surgery for his wounds. Montgomery was killed and Pernsley also was wounded.

County Detective Michele Deery interviewed the car’s owner, who said Pernsley did not have permission to drive the vehicle, according to an affidavit of probable cause for his arrest. A charge of receiving stolen property was dismissed under the plea agreement worked out by Assistant District Attorney Geoff Paine and defense counsel Lewis Hannah III.

A third man arrested in the incident, Richard Lee Beauford, 25, also is facing charges of receiving stolen property and firearms not to be carried without a license.

Paine questioned Pernsley about a firearm allegedly found under the driver’s seat of the Pontiac Tuesday following the plea. Pernsley said he did not know who placed the firearm there and did not see Beauford or Montgomery with it.

Emily Harris, a spokesperson for Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan, said Tuesday that the officers involved in the shooting were cleared by the Special Investigations Unit of the District Attorney’s office.

“Following a thorough investigation into facts and circumstances surrounding the police officer involved shooting that occurred on March 12, 2016, in the city of Chester, it was found that the police officers reasonably believed their lives to be in danger of serious bodily injury or death by the actions of Keith Montgomery,” she stated in an email. “Therefore, pursuant to (the relevant laws) … the use of lethal force by the officer was lawful and justified.”

Pernsley is scheduled for sentencing Sept. 23 before Judge Gregory Mallon.