Monday, Jun 25, 2007
On the evening of Saturday, June 23rd, a park ranger shot and wounded a 43-year-old man in response to threats he was making with a large caliber revolver. No rangers were injured in the incident, which took place near the Anthony Wayne statue on Outer Line Drive within the park. The man’s vehicle, a Chevrolet Blazer, was first noticed at the Wayne statue parking area around 3:30 p.m. When the vehicle was still parked at the area at 7:25 p.m., the ranger stopped in the parking area to check it. As the ranger got out of his patrol car, a man entered the parking lot from an area of the woods that is closed to public access. The ranger talked to the man, checked his identification, and found that there was a warrant for his arrest for a failure to appear in court regarding a prior offense. The ranger called for assistance; when a second ranger arrived, the man moved to his vehicle and retrieved the large caliber revolver. The rangers ordered the man to drop the gun, but he instead began yelling at the rangers. The rangers continued to issue orders to drop the gun until the man threatened them with the gun and a ranger shot him once. After being shot, the man still did not drop the gun. Following furtive movements and continued threats to shoot rangers with the gun again, a ranger shot him twice. The rangers were then able to place him under arrest and provide emergency medical aid. The man was flown to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He has been identified as Daniel John McColgan, 43, of Havertown, Pennsylvania. Neither ranger was injured in the incident. The investigation continues and is being conducted jointly by the National Park Service and Federal Bureau of Investigation, with significant assistance provided by the Chester County District Attorney’s Office Detective Unit, Tredyffrin Township, and Upper Merion Township.
|
