Cop shoots man outside retail center

Critically injured 22-year-old firing ‘ghost gun,’ police say

A 22-year-old man who was firing a gun outside an Allentown shopping center early Saturday was shot and critically injured by a police officer after the man refused to drop his weapon, Allentown police said in a news release.

The incident unfolded at 1:58 a.m. as the officer was on routine patrol in the American Plaza Shopping Center parking lot, near the intersection of American Parkway and Hamilton Street. There he heard gunshots being fired among “a crowd of people” and saw a man, later identified as Allentown resident Elyn Jose Marte, repeatedly firing a handgun, police said.

Marte, police said, failed to follow repeated verbal commands from the officer to drop the gun. The officer then

fired four shots, striking Marte at least twice, police said.

Officers provided emergency medical aid to Marte on scene, and he was then transported via ambulance to an area hospital. He is in critical, but stable, condition, police said.

No other injuries were reported in the incident.

Police did not say whether the officer involved remains on duty. According to the Allentown Police Department’s use-of-force policy, which it publicly released last year, an officer “shall be placed on administrative leave/ duty after completing all administrative investigation requirements” following a use of force that causes death or serious physical injury.

Per the policy, the department must ensure an investigation of the incident occurs. The officer’s return to duty is determined by a mental health professional and the police chief, the policy notes.

Police said their preliminary investigation has revealed Marte was armed with a “9 mm caliber Polymer80 Inc. brand handgun ‘ghost gun,’ with no serial number and an extended magazine.” The firearm was recovered from Marte at the scene.

Ghost guns can be assembled from firearm kits that don’t have serial numbers or other identifying information, making them untraceable. Background checks aren’t required to buy them.

Police said a criminal complaint will be filed and an arrest warrant obtained, charging Marte with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, as well as being a person not allowed to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms.

The investigation is ongoing, conducted by the Allentown Police Department Criminal Investigations Division, Lehigh County detectives and Lehigh County district attorney’s office.

Those with information on the incident can contact Allentown police at 610-437-7721. Police said callers may remain anonymous.