A Bristol Borough man previously convicted of pulling the trigger of a rifle aimed at a police officer has been sentenced to federal prison for brandishing a knife at a federal court security officer before being shot outside the James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse in Philadelphia.
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Anthony Lombardo, 46, received a four-and-a-half-year sentence from U.S. District Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro. The jail time will be followed by three years of supervised release.
Lombardo pleaded guilty in May to a single count of assault on a federal officer related to the January 2023 incident outside the federal courthouse.
On the morning of January 17, 2023, Lombardo arrived at the courthouse located at 7th and Market streets and approached a court security officer while wielding a large kitchen knife. When he ignored commands to drop the weapon, the officer shot him, federal prosecutors said.
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Responders at the scene found another knife concealed in Lombardo’s shirtsleeve and makeshift body armor strapped to his torso, authorities said.
After being wounded, Lombardo reportedly told first responders, “Let me bleed out.”
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FBI special agents found searches on Lombardo’s cellphone for the terms “dea hq attack”; “how to attack 600 arch st phila”; and “600 arch st,” referring to addresses for federal buildings, including the Drug Enforcement Administration’s local office near the courthouse, authorities said.
Lombardo was on state probation for a 2006 incident in Bristol Borough where he barricaded himself in his home and pointed a rifle at police during a wellness check. He appeared to pull the trigger of the rifle, but the rifle never fired, according to federal and county court records.
In the 2006 incident, Lombardo allegedly stated, “kill me,” while holding the rifle toward the officer, authorities said.
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Lombardo has had struggles with mental health and drug addiction, with federal authorities noting he was not taking his prescribed medications at the time of the courthouse incident.
The court security officer injured during the incident underwent therapy and was off work for several months, according to federal officials.
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U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Jacqueline Romero noted the gravity of Lombardo’s actions.
“Twice now, Anthony Lombardo has targeted police and security officers with violence,” said Romero. “Whatever your goals or grievances, if you try to harm someone working to protect a federal courthouse or facility, rest assured that my office and our partners will work to hold you fully accountable.”
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The case was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Ashenfelter.
In a separate 2021 incident, Lombardo allegedly caused damage in Bristol Borough by cutting wires.
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