POTTSTOWN, Pa. — A tense standoff in Pottstown on Sunday evening ended in tragedy when a 25-year-old man was fatally shot by police after allegedly opening fire on officers and injuring one, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.
The incident began shortly after 5:00 p.m. on April 6, when Pottstown police responded to a vehicle crash near the intersection of Beech and North Mount Vernon Streets. Upon arrival, officers encountered the driver of the crashed vehicle, later identified as Andrew Jackson Ecker, who reportedly attempted to reach for a .22 caliber firearm at the scene before fleeing on foot.
Ecker was pursued by officers to his nearby residence on Winding Road. Upon reaching the home, he allegedly fired at police, striking one officer in the shoulder. The wounded officer was quickly transported to a hospital in Reading and is currently in stable condition, officials confirmed.
The situation escalated into a full-scale standoff as Ecker barricaded himself inside the residence. Law enforcement launched a coordinated response involving multiple agencies, including the regional SWAT West team.
Negotiators, working in coordination with a family member, were able to establish communication with Ecker in hopes of reaching a peaceful resolution. Despite hours of dialogue, authorities say Ecker refused to surrender.
At approximately 10:45 p.m., the standoff took a fatal turn when Ecker was shot and killed during an exchange with law enforcement. The precise details of the confrontation that led to the use of deadly force have not yet been disclosed.
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office has launched a full investigation into the officer-involved shooting, which will include a thorough review of body camera footage, ballistic evidence, and eyewitness accounts.
“There is no ongoing threat to the public,” the district attorney’s office stated in a press release Monday morning. Additional information is expected to be shared as the investigation progresses.
The identity of the injured officer has not been released at this time. The Pottstown Police Department has not issued a public statement beyond confirming the officer’s condition and expressing gratitude for community support.
This marks one of the most serious police incidents in the area in recent memory, prompting renewed calls for community safety and mental health support during crisis situations.