Crime & Safety
DA Investigates Bristol Township Police-Involved Shooting
A 46-year-old Bristol Township man was shot by police after he pointed a rifle at them, authorities confirm.
The Bucks County District Attorney's Office continues to investigate a police-involved shooting that happened in the 4600 block of Newportville Road late Saturday night.
A Bristol Township police sergeant shot 46-year-old Robert Ritsky, of Bristol, after he pointed a shotgun at officers -- while intoxicated, District Attorney David Heckler confirmed to Patch.
As of Tuesday, Ritsky remains at St. Mary's Medical Center in Middletown after taking bullets to both legs and his upper chest. Hospital officials would not comment on his condition, but Heckler said as far as he knows Ritsky's injuries were not life threatening.
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Heckler told the Patch, Bristol police were called to the 4600 Newportville Road, shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday, after Ritsky went into a neighbors home with a shotgun and began telling the woman and her boyfriend he was worried about going to jail after a recent DUI arrest. The woman, who said she did not feel she was in immediate danger, asked Ritsky to leave, which he did, and called 9-1-1 as a precaution.
When Ritsky was confronted by a BTPD sergeant, he first pointed the gun at himself and then stepped forward and pointed it toward the officer, who then fired his weapon six times -- hitting Ritsky four times. Ritsky did not fire his weapon, Heckler said.
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Ritsky then fled on foot to a nearby outdoor staircase, behind his house that leads to a raised parking lot, where he surrendered to police, said Heckler.
The DA said he believes Ritsky's actions were in an attempt to commit suicide by cop.
According to court documents, aggravated assault and simple assault charges were filed against Ritsky on Monday.
Over the past several years, Ritsky has had numerous run-ins with area police, including those in Bristol, court documents reveal.
Heckler said county detectives were continuing to investigate the shooting and more information will be released in the coming days.
The Bristol Township Police Department did not respond to Patch's request for comment.
