The Pennsylvania Superior Court reversed the trial court’s order granting the defendant’s suppression motion. A police officer heard gunshots and drove in the direction where he thought the shots originated. The officer saw the defendant running on the sidewalk in the opposite direction. The officer exited his vehicle and asked the defendant why he was running. He responded, “Because I heard gunshots.” And the defendant continued running. At which point, the officer commanded him to stop. The defendant did not stop but kept running, and the officer chased him. During the chase, the defendant tossed a gun. The Commonwealth charged VUFA, the defendant filed a suppression motion, and the trial court granted the motion. The Commonwealth appealed, and the Superior Court reversed. The Court held, “Where an individual who admits to law enforcement that he is fleeing from gunshots and is the lone person who may have more information or connection to the shooting, this creates reasonable suspicion for the police to stop him and further investigate.” Thus, the officer had reasonable suspicion to conduct an investigative detention when the officer chased the defendant.
