DA: Police justified in killing Greensburg woman who had gun

The fatal shooting of a Greensburg woman in March by a city police officer has been officially classified a justified homicide.

Nina C. Adams, 47, posed a threat to police and the public March 13 when she fired shots at a Harvey Avenue building, according to a report released Thursday by Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck. Adams refused to drop the handgun when police arrived and pointed it at an officer, according to the report.

That’s when Officer Henry Fontana Jr. fired the fatal shot, Peck said.

“Nina Adams’ decision to ignore the lawful orders of police officers to disarm, her erratic behavior and, just prior, extremely reckless behavior, and her menacing the officers with a loaded firearm justified Officer Fontana’s use of deadly force for his protection, the protection of other officers and those nearby and in adjacent homes,” Peck wrote.

County Coroner Ken Bacha said he will not conduct an inquest into Adams’ death. Greensburg police Chief Chad Zucco could not be reached for comment.

Police were called to Grant Street about 3:30 p.m. after witnesses reported seeing Adams firing a revolver across Harvey Avenue at an office building housing Deluzio & Co. accountants, the American Red Cross and Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School. One round shattered a glass front door.

Six officers set up in the area and ordered Adams to drop her weapon while she stood on her front porch.

Adams said “go ahead and shoot me,” “do what you gotta do” and made other threatening statements while police were there, Peck wrote.

One officer fired a nonlethal shotgun at Adams, hitting her. Peck said it had no effect, and Adams pointed her weapon at the officer. She was hit in the right shoulder by Fontana’s shot, he said. Her gun was loaded with five rounds.

Adams was pronounced dead at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital. Her family said she had mental health issues and described her as a sweet, gentle person. Adams graduated from Seton Hill University in 1996 with a history degree.

“The investigation conducted by the (county) detectives disclosed no clear evidence of motive nor did it identify an event that triggered Ms. Adams’ behavior,” Peck wrote.

Adams lived on Grant Street for several years with her mother, who died in September 2015. Family members told investigators Adams had become withdrawn and isolated after her mother’s death.

Peck commended the actions of officers.

“Ms. Adams’ death was undoubtedly a tragedy,” he wrote. “However, the officers of the City of Greensburg Police Department … made significant efforts to deescalate the erupting violence by identifying themselves as police officers and directing Ms. Adams to disarm.

“Officer Fontana was therefore forced to make a split-second decision in a situation that was tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving.”