Police: Man shot by officer responding to large fight

ALLENTOWN — Authorities say a man was shot and wounded by police responding to a large fight in Allentown.

Officers responded shortly before 3 a.m. Sunday to the fight, with witnesses reporting shots fired in the area. Arriving officers found a large number of people fighting and an individual on the ground near a trail of blood.

Police say a 31-year-old man holding a weapon refused orders to drop it and instead fled to a porch and “still brandishing the handgun, rapidly turned toward” and officer, who opened fire.

The man was taken to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening. Police say he will face charges of aggravated assault against a police officer and simple assault. Police say a black replica Ruger CO2 powered BB gun was recovered.