Here is what a local attorney had to say about possible charges against the armed bystander.

Prince says the bystander could be charged with trespassing or be banned from the mall. Authorities say it’s up to the Lancaster County DA to charge the bystander. Prince believes that wouldn’t be a good idea.

“All of our district attorneys are elected officials and I don’t believe that the electorate there in Lancaster County would be supportive of prosecuting someone even for a summary offense where they protected the lives of countless individuals,” Prince said.

https://www.abc27.com/news/local/lancaster/could-the-bystander-who-intervened-in-the-park-city-center-shooting-be-charged/

Lancaster is not Philadelphia, so no charges are likely.

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Unless their law is different, he has to be told to leave and either refuse or return to be trespassed.

Ding ding ding . . . we have a winner.

Most the guy could be charged with is trespassing.

If the mall presses charges (again, just trespassing), word will get around like crazy and the mall will lose a lot of business.

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But…Do you think thats right?..For example…I knowingly trespass on posted land, ignoring signs etc, while doing so I help someone who is in need of help. Should I get off without a hitch?

Or taking it to the next level… A person breaks into someones garage with nefarious intentions, finds the owner in medical distress, saves the owner. Should the guy walk with no consequences?

Was he committing a crime by being in the mall?

Was he in the mall lawfully?

Thats up to owners

No, actually it’s not. You might have a point if the mall was posted “No Trespassing”.

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Can they press charges, even if its only summery offense?

They should NOT be charged in this case.

Apples to oranges. Not going to address this portion.

No. What is a “summery offense”.

Yes they can…By using his weapon he showed he ignored the sign.

I could pull a Sneaky and say look it up, but I’m not like that. . here ya go.

Summary Offenses in Pennsylvania - Community Legal Services

“summary offense is the most minor type of criminal offense in Pennsylvania, and is often called a “non-traffic citation.”Summary offenses can include disorderly conduct, loitering, harassment, and low-level retail theft, among others.A conviction for a summary offense usually results in a fine. You may have never gone to court after getting a summary citation.”

An offense none the less

No they can’t. They can’t prove he saw a sign.

Trespass requires being trespassed, then violating it.

That’s an ordinance violation, it might hurt him if he rolls the paper up and sticks himself in the eye with it.

And then they can vote the DA out of office.

It’s a criminal offense

No, it isn’t.

What part of the definition do you not understand?

“summary offense is the most minor type of criminal offense in Pennsylvania"

It looks like the armed bystander did not violate the laws of Pennsylvania and will not face any charges.

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The bystander should receive a good citizenship award.

Amazing that some libs seem upset that he stopped the shooter and want some sort of charges against him. :roll_eyes:

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It has historically been a matter of discretion if they are going to enforce private regulations or not.

Many post in this thread are funny in light of this video: