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Pennsylvania Coroner Calls for Officer's Manslaughter Charge in Shooting Death, District Attorney Disagrees

Dispute follows April 2 shooting of Eduardo Hoover Jr., where Washington County Coroner argues the car chase victim was not a threat as his car was trapped, a point rebutted by the District Attorney and Police Chief who hold the officer's actions as justified.

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Overview

  • The Washington County Coroner, Timothy Warco, has called for an involuntary manslaughter charge against Mount Pleasant Township Police Officer Tyler Evans for the shooting death of Eduardo Hoover Jr.
  • District Attorney Jason Walsh dismissed the coroner's call for charges, maintaining that Evans' actions were justified and referred to Warco's stance as 'theatrical nonsense'.
  • The shooting occurred after a car chase involving Hoover, culminating in his vehicle being boxed in by five police vehicles. Evans shot through the back window, striking Hoover twice.
  • Warco's recommendation is based on an assortment of evidence including his own autopsy of Hoover, police reports, 911 call logs, body cam footage, and nearby surveillance footage. He claimed parts of Evans' story did not align with the body camera images and argued Hoover's trapped car posed no threat and could not be used as a deadly weapon.
  • Mount Pleasant Township Police Chief Matthew Tharp stated that the criminal investigation had cleared Evans and he continues to serve as an officer in good standing. However, Hoover's family members believe that the coroner's findings have moved the situation a step closer to justice.