Self-Defense: No Charges in Fatal Harrisburg Pepper Spray Incident

Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo decided not to file charges in the fatal June 23 shooting of Paul Kattouf in Harrisburg, PA, citing self-defense after Kattouf used pepper spray on a family in their vehicle.

HARRISBURG, PA (3-minute read) — In a decision that highlights the complexities of self-defense laws, Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo announced that no charges will be filed in the June 23 fatal shooting of Paul Kattouf in downtown Harrisburg. Chardo deemed the shooting a legitimate act of self-defense.

Paul Kattouf died after being shot once in the chest following an altercation in which he pepper-sprayed a family in another vehicle. The incident occurred in the 200 block of State Street, near St. Patrick Roman Catholic Cathedral. According to witnesses, the confrontation was brief and escalated rapidly.

Harrisburg Self-Defense Shooting

One witness, who was leaving a dinner at the cathedral around 5:30 p.m., described how Kattouf exited his vehicle to confront the occupants of a black Chevrolet sedan. After spraying pepper spray through the open window of the sedan, the situation turned deadly. The witness reported hearing a voice saying, “Back up off my car,” followed by a gunshot.

Chardo’s review included statements from eyewitnesses, video footage, and physical evidence. He concluded that the shooter, a passenger in the vehicle, reasonably believed he and his family were at imminent risk of serious injury from Kattouf’s actions. He emphasized that the decision to use force was made in a matter of seconds.

Kattouf, who possibly thought he was being followed due to an earlier traffic encounter, had just parked on State Street when he approached the other vehicle and used pepper spray. The family, including a pregnant woman and a 7-year-old child, was en route to the man’s workplace and had detoured due to a road closure.

The DA’s report revealed that the couple had called 911 after the initial encounter and stopped by Kattouf’s car to record his license plate number for the dispatcher. This prompted Kattouf to exit his car and approach them with pepper spray. As the spray hit the pregnant driver, she attempted to grab her pistol, which she and her boyfriend were licensed to carry. Unable to fire due to the spray, the male passenger took the gun and fired a single shot, fatally wounding Kattouf.

READ MORE: Understanding De-Escalation: A Guide for Armed Citizens

The bullet pierced Kattouf’s heart and lung, leading to his death. Pennsylvania’s expanded “castle doctrine” law allows for the use of deadly force in vehicles and public areas if there is a perceived threat to life or safety.

This Harrisburg self-defense shooting should remind us all about the importance of de-escalating situations before they become dangerous and violent. Knowing how to de-escalate is a valuable tool that everyone should have, especially those who carry other tools for self-defense.

Safety Tip: Always be aware of your surroundings and avoid escalating confrontations. If you carry pepper spray or a firearm, understand the legal implications and use them responsibly.