Authorities in Clearfield County say an off-duty police officer is behind bars after he shot another man during an altercation with the owner of a DuBois business over the weekend.
Police say officers were dispatched to “Invictus,” located along DuBois Street, early Sunday morning for a report of a shooting.
“Invictus” is described as a multi-recreational establishment that offers axe-throwing and virtual reality gaming, among other activities.
According to the affidavit, police say the suspect, 27-year-old Zachery Dodson, had reportedly shot another man during an altercation with the owner of the establishment.
“He will be prosecuted the same as everybody else. This case will be treated no differently,”
Authorities say, according to the owner, Dodson was reportedly acting “agitated and aggressive” prior to the altercation and was escorted out of the business.
Police say, according to witnesses, the owner and the victim were speaking with one another when Dodson allegedly returned, at which time her reportedly pulled out a gun.
Authorities say the owner attempted to disarm Dodson as the victim again tried to escort him from the building.
Police say a struggle reportedly ensued and the gun fired once, striking the victim in the face.
Authorities say the 31-year-old man was flown to UPMC Altoona, where he was listed in stable condition, before being transferred to UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh.
Officials noted that the man is expected to survive and has undergone surgery for a broke jaw.
“It could have been far worse. Thank the Lord that the individual that was shot was not fatally wounded, and nobody else was injured in the altercation,”
Police also noted that the owner “tackled” Dodson to the ground and waited for officers to arrive on scene.
“I have the utmost respect for the actions heroic actions of the owner for neutralizing the threat and making sure that everybody was safe inside the establishment,”
District Attorney Ryan Sayers confirmed Monday that Dodson is employed with the Curwensville Borough Police Department, and also works as a deputy for the Clearfield County Sheriff’s Office.
The future of Dodson’s career in law enforcement is unknown at this time.
“They said no further comment, because it is a personnel matter, but obviously they’ll keep everybody up to date if something changes,”
Dodson is being held at the Jefferson County Jail, for “safety” reasons, and his bail was denied.
He faces multiple counts of felony aggravated assault, as well as making terroristic threats, reckless endangerment and simple assault.
Sayers says he hopes this does not impact the community’s feelings towards law enforcement.
“This is a tarnish on that reputation. However, we hope that the public sees that this is an isolated incident and will not hold that against our men and women that serve our communities every day,”
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 3rd.
The owners of “Invictus” noted in a Facebook post that the business will be closed until further notice.
