A man pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges stemming from a confrontation last year where he pointed what turned out to be a replica handgun at Falls Township police officers and was shot in self-defense.
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Benjamin Charles Fell, 21, of Middletown Township, entered a guilty plea to two counts of felony aggravated assault, felony fleeing and eluding police, possession of an instrument of crime, and reckless driving.
Credit: Bucks County District Attorney’s Office
Bucks County Court of Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey Finley sentenced Fell to 11 1/2 to 23 months in the Bucks County Correctional Facility. The jail time will then be followed by three years of probation.
The incident occurred during a traffic stop in the early hours of March 28, 2023. The wounds suffered by Fell nearly killed him.
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The encounter began when officers attempted to pull over Fell, who was speeding in a 2007 silver Ford Focus on Lincoln Highway around midnight. Despite initially stopping, Fell fled as officers activated their emergency lights, reaching speeds over 100 miles per hour, police said.
The chase ended when police performed a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver to halt Fell’s vehicle.
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Bodycam footage presented in court by First Assistant District Attorney Edward Louka showed Fell exiting his vehicle and pointing what appeared to be a handgun at officers.
Reacting to the handgun, which was later discovered to be a replica, police opened fire and struck Fell, sending him to a Trenton trauma center.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Louka described the act as a “suicide by cop” attempt.
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An investigation by the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office later confirmed the officers were justified in their use of force.
The gun Fell brandished was later identified as a CO2 air gun designed to look like a Glock handgun, authorities said.
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“The effect on the officers is what really has my stomach turning,” the judge stated during the sentencing.
Fell has since recovered from his injuries.
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In addition to Falls Township police and Bucks County Detectives, the Middletown Township, Tullytown Borough, and Morrisville Borough police departments assisted.
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