A Bensalem Township police officer was involved in a shooting that took place last Saturday which is currently under investigation by the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office. The confrontation began between a motorcyclist, identified as 44-year-old John Thomas Mathis of Levittown, who has had previous brushes with the law, and another individual. According to the Bucks County alert, Mathis is now hospitalized following injuries from the incident.
The situation escalated when a victim reported to the authorities that a motorcyclist, later confirmed to be Mathis, was displaying aggressive driving behavior and even brandished a firearm. While trying to evade what they perceived as an imminent threat, the victims were able quickly to contact law enforcement about Mathis, who at the time was supposedly following them. An officer responding to the incident positioned his patrol car strategically to protect the victims, resulting in Mathis reportedly running from his motorcycle.
Witnesses at the scene claimed they heard the officer issue verbal commands toward Mathis, shortly before the sound of gunfire broke through. "The victims then heard three gunshots and observed Mathis fall to the ground," as detailed by the Bucks County alert. The same report indicates that after the shooting, when additional police officers arrived, they began to render medical aid to Mathis until he could be transported to the hospital for further treatment.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting is ongoing. The District Attorney’s Office has not yet released detailed information about the officer involved or any potential charges against Mathis. In the meantime, Mathis's condition remains a matter for the hospital.
