The Berks County District Attorney’s Office has announced that the fatal shooting of a Myerstown man has been ruled an act of self-defense following an extensive investigation.
On Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at approximately 7:50 AM, a 911 call was made from 1011 Little Mountain Road, Bethel Township, Berks County. The caller, a 64-year-old female, reported that she had just shot her 32-year-old son after he had broken into her residence.
As a result of this 911 call, the Bethel Township Police Department responded to 1011 Little Mountain Road and discovered Sean M. Clemens deceased in the basement of this residence. Clemens had been shot multiple times. The firearm used during this incident was recovered at the scene.
The Berks County Detective’s Office were contacted by the Bethel Township Police Department and initiated a criminal investigation into the incident.
As part of this investigation, an interview was conducted with the victim’s mother. She indicated that the victim has an extensive history of illegal drug use and that while under the influence of drugs, namely methamphetamines, he would become agitated and aggressive. She explained that the victim had previously resided at her home but that after recently completing a rehabilitation program, he relocated to the Lickdale area of Lebanon County.
The victim’s mother explained that the victim showed up at her house unannounced and demanded to be let in. She refused but could tell that he was “high” and agitated. She became fearful and had retrieved her firearm. The victim then ran to the rear of the home and tried unsuccessfully to forcibly enter the residence through a rear sliding glass door. The victim was then able to successfully enter the residence through an unlocked basement door. Once inside, a confrontation ensued. The victim’s mother then shot the victim several times.
Additional interviews were conducted with family, friends, and associatesof the victim, who confirmed that the victim could become agitated and aggressive while under the influence of drugs. Furthermore, a witness was located who had observed the victim walking toward his mother’s home just prior to this incident. This witness described the victim as appearing to be impaired.
Investigators were able to confirm that the victim’s prior law enforcement contacts, dating back to 2011, included crimes of violence as well as drug related offenses.
On Monday, November 11, 2024, an autopsy was performed on the victim at the Tower Health Reading Hospital. It was determined that the victim had died from multiple gunshot wounds to the chest. Toxicology results revealed that the victim had high levels of methamphetamines in his system at the time of his death.
Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams concluded that the mother’s actions were justified under Pennsylvania self-defense laws. “There was no direct evidence uncovered that would dispute the facts put forth by the victim’s mother to justify her actions,” said Adams. “the actions of the victim’s mother appear to be an apparent act of self-defense.”
Pennsylvania law allows all persons to use deadly force in an act of self-defense, if the person reasonably believed that he/she faced an unlawful interference that created a risk of death or great bodily harm.