Two Upper Darby Police officers shot and killed a man who was allegedly armed with a knife at an apartment complex in Clifton Heights Tuesday night.
Investigators say 54-year-old David Zollo called from the Bishop Hill Apartment complex on the 100 block of South Bishop Avenue and threatened to hurt himself. When police arrived they found him in the parking lot armed with a knife, investigators said.
The officers told Zollo to drop the knife but he did not comply, according to investigators. The officers then shot him with a Taser but he still didn’t drop the weapon, police said. Zollo then allegedly charged at the officers who fired several shots. He was struck multiple times and was later pronounced dead.
The two officers as well as Zollo's wife were later interviewed at police headquarters. Zollo's wife later posted a Facebook message thanking the Upper Darby Police Department.
"It is with a heavy and broken heart that I write this post," she wrote. "My husband of the last 15 1/2 years died last night. Many of you that know him knew that he struggled with mental health issues. He is finally free of all of the demons that have been plaguing him. Please pray for him and our families as we come to grips with this. I would like to thank the Upper Darby Police. Michael J. Chitwood and his officers went above and beyond to help us get through last night. They did what they had to in order to keep everyone safe."
SUICIDE PREVENTION HELP: The National Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-8255) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
