On March 25, 2024, Damon Scott Stern Sr., a 50-year-old male from Reading, Pennsylvania, was fatally shot by a police officer. An Air Force veteran and a father of six, Stern was also known in his community as 'DJ Nomad.'
The incident unfolded in the early morning hours when Reading police responded to a 911 call about a suicidal man with a knife on Windsor Street. According to the Berks County District Attorney's office, two officers were met by Stern at the front door of his residence.
Authorities stated that Stern, who was holding a large knife, advanced toward the officers. After he allegedly ignored repeated commands to drop the weapon and continued to approach, one of the officers shot him. Stern was transported to Reading Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No police officers were injured during the encounter.
Following an investigation, the Berks County District Attorney concluded in April 2024 that the officer's use of deadly force was justified, and no charges were filed against the officer involved. The District Attorney's Office stated that their investigation determined the officers acted to protect themselves from a threat of serious bodily injury or death.
The family of Damon Stern has publicly disputed the official findings and has taken legal action. In September 2024, their attorneys announced a forthcoming wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Reading. The family's legal team released body camera footage of the shooting, which they assert contradicts the official account of the events. They maintain that Stern was experiencing a mental health crisis and that his wife had called 911 to get him help, not to have him harmed. The family and their supporters have advocated for changes in how law enforcement responds to individuals in mental health distress. The case has drawn community attention, including a protest held outside the Berks County Courthouse, with calls for justice and transparency.
