On Thursday, April 2, 2026, at approximately 1:02 pm, members of the Lancaster Bureau of Police observed a wanted subject in a vehicle in the first block of E. James Street. The subject was wanted by the East Lampeter Township Police Department for terroristic threats.  Officers conducted a vehicle stop to take him into custody. The subject got out of the vehicle and repeatedly failed to follow instructions while holding an unknown black object. The subject continued to defy and began walking back to the vehicle. Officers quickly evaluated the situation and fired a less-lethal weapon at the subject,  striking him in the torso. Another less-lethal round was fired at the subject, but missed and struck the vehicle. The subject refused medical treatment and was given to ELTPD.

Less lethal rounds have numerous applications; they can be used to de-escalate a dangerous situation, to disable and prevent the escape of a dangerous and potentially armed subject. When used in situations such as this, they help reduce the risk of injury and mitigate dangerous situations for the suspect, officers, and community.

Like in all use-of-force incidents, this situation will go through the Bureau's review process.