Driver killed, passenger in custody following 2-hour-long standoff in Bensalem, Pennsylvania

Bensalem police say there is no threat to the community after responding to a standoff with a car that ended in deadly gunfire Friday night. 

Officials held a press conference at a gas station in Bucks County where they explained the events that led up to the shooting.

William McVey, director of public safety for Bensalem Township, said police attempted a traffic stop on a car for a window tint violation in the area of Route 1 and Old Lincoln Highway. McVey said there were two people in the car, who refused to comply with police and “advised that they were armed and would not be going back to prison.”

The car then took off and was tailed by Pennsylvania State Police and Bensalem police. The pursuit lasted through multiple jurisdictions and ended at a gas station – where the press conference was later held – at Route 13 and Penn Street following multiple collisions between the suspected car and police vehicles. 

“At that point, we considered those two individuals armed and barricaded,” McVey said. 

Chopper 3 was over the standoff in Bensalem Friday just before 6:30 p.m. 

The SWAT team was called to respond and after two hours of police trying to de-escalate the situation, according to McVey, authorities deployed gas twice.

According to McVey, the suspected driver then pointed a handgun at police, which is when a member of SWAT fired a gun at the driver. The driver was taken to the hospital and died Friday night. McVey didn’t give the name of the driver, however, he said he was 30 years old. 

The passenger wasn’t injured and was taken into custody at Bensalem Police Department.

The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office is leading the investigation. McVey thanked PSP and the Philadelphia Police Department for their SWAT team’s help.

While police said the situation is under control and there is no outstanding threat to the community, authorities will stay at the scene throughout the rest of the night. 

“I think the police did an exceptional job of ensuring that no one from the public was hurt and I’m thankful for that,” McVey said.

Bristol Pike is closed between Biddle Lane and Penn Street, according to police.