A late-night trip to the Wilkins Township Sheetz turned chaotic on Wednesday when a confrontation with a knife-wielding man ended with a police officer in the hospital after being bitten, according to investigators.
Police say officer bitten during takedown
Allegheny County police told WTAE that officers were called to the Sheetz on William Penn Highway after reports that a man, identified as Renard Barton, was allegedly harassing customers inside the store. When officers arrived, they say Barton had a fixed-blade knife and was ordered to drop it.
Instead of letting the knife fall, investigators say Barton put it into a backpack, prompting officers to deploy a Taser before they were able to get him into handcuffs. During the struggle, one officer suffered bite wounds and was taken to a hospital for treatment. Police say Barton was also taken to a hospital before being booked.
Where the confrontation unfolded
The clash happened at the Sheetz along William Penn Highway in Wilkins Township. County records list the store at 3457 William Penn Hwy, according to the Allegheny County roster. That section of the highway is a busy commercial strip packed with gas stations, chain restaurants and retail spots, and it regularly hums with late-night traffic.
Complaint: vest stopped knife strikes
A criminal complaint reviewed by WTAE states that during the struggle Barton got an officer to the ground and struck the officer several times with the knife. According to the document, the officer's ballistic vest blocked multiple knife blows. The complaint also notes that the officer responded with several closed-fist strikes while trying to subdue the suspect.
Violence not new along this stretch
William Penn Highway is no stranger to trouble. In 2022, a man was shot and killed in a Sheetz parking lot in Wilkins Township, according to reporting by KDKA/CBS Pittsburgh. Episodes like Wednesday night's scuffle have continued to fuel safety concerns along the corridor.
County police handling investigation
The Allegheny County Police Department, which provides investigative support to local municipalities, is leading the probe, according to the department's publicly available information. Officials have not yet released further details about potential charges as the investigation continues.
