Sharon Hill officer slashed in face, suspect shot

SHARON HILL, Pa. (WPVI) -- The Delaware County District Attorney's office has asked the Montgomery County D.A.'s Office to assist with the investigation into a police-involved shooting in Sharon Hill that left a suspect critically wounded.

The outside assistance is being requested because the detective involved works for Delaware County.

The incident happened before 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Two Sharon Hill police officers responded to a report of a disoriented person at a home in the unit block of Barker Avenue.

Authorities say inside the home, 22-year-old Savion Garrison lunged at officers with a steak knife, slashing one officer in the face.

A Delaware County detective came to provide back-up and, when inside, fired one shot, hitting the suspect in the chest.

Garrison's parents say they've struggled to get consistent treatment for their son's schizophrenia.

"The situation is devastating to me and my family," said Garrison's mother, Sonia Benzz. "Right now we're focused on praying this thing through."

This was the third disturbance linked to Garrison in just six days, and he is known to local police.

"The first time he was admitted to the hospital, we felt that's where he should still be today," said Garrison's father, Juan Benzz.

Garrison's family believes there was a breakdown in communication but have no comment on whether they are upset with police.

"I didn't see a knife," said Juan Benzz. "My focus was the gunshot I heard in my living room and seeing my son fall to the ground. I thought I lost him, but I didn't and I'm not going to."

Garrison's mother hopes authorities take into account the mindset of a schizophrenic person during their investigation.

"When this incident happened in the house he was fighting for his life, thinking someone was there to attack him," she said.