A police officer says he shot and killed a suspect because he was threatened with a knife while investigating a bicycle theft.
Officer Matthew McGowan responded to the theft call on Stedwick Road in Montgomery Village at 10:55 p.m. on March 27, 2017.
He was speaking with Richard Tilley about the bike theft. A departmental body camera worn by Officer McGowan shows that as he provided Tilley the report number, Tilley took out a knife and lunged at him.
Officer McGowan defended himself from the attack and fell onto the ground. Police say Tilley continued to attack the officer and that's when McGowan pulled his gun and shot Tilley.
McGowan called for assistance and Tilley was rushed to the hospital where he died.
McGowan is a 5 year veteran of the Montgomery County Police Department. He is on paid administrative leave while the case is being investigated.