On a winter morning in Allentown, Pennsylvania, a dispute between neighbors escalated into a fatal encounter. Vincent Bynum, a 36-year-old African American man, was shot and killed on February 10, 2022. The events that led to his death began when Bynum reportedly assaulted a man who lived next door to him. The injured neighbor managed to make his way back to his own home and inform his family of the attack.
Following the initial assault, another resident of the neighbor's home, the
victim's brother-in-law, went to confront Bynum about the incident. This confrontation quickly turned violent, with Bynum punching the man. As the man tried to retreat, Bynum pursued him. In response to being chased, the man, who was in legal possession of a firearm, drew his weapon and fired two shots. One of these shots struck Bynum, inflicting a mortal wound. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
The Lehigh County Coroner's Office conducted an autopsy and officially ruled Bynum's death a homicide. The investigation that followed included interviews with witnesses and a review of available video surveillance footage. An autopsy also revealed the presence of alcohol and a high level of Phencyclidine in Bynum's system at the time of his death.
After a thorough investigation of the incident, the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office determined that the shooting was a justified act of self-defense. The man who shot Bynum was not charged with any crime in connection with the death. The District Attorney, Jim Martin, publicly announced that no criminal charges would be filed, closing the case on the death of Vincent Bynum.
