Man who fired gun due to Lehigh Valley cigar store mask policy arrested in shootout: Police

BETHLEHEM TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Police say a man who fired shots at an employee after refusing to wear a mask inside a Lehigh Valley cigar shop has been apprehended following a shootout.

Adam Zaborowski, 35, of Slatington, Pennsylvania has been charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, robbery, and reckless endangerment.

According to authorities, around 9:30 a.m. Saturday, an officer from the Slatington Borough Police Department and troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police Bethlehem barracks attempted to make a traffic stop at the intersection of East Washington and 2nd Streets in Slatington.

State police said the driver of the vehicle, identified as Zaborowski, exited his vehicle and began shooting at police, striking a Slatington Borough patrol vehicle.

Both the Slatington Borough officer and the state troopers returned fire and struck Zaborowski, police said.

They then administered first aid to Zaborowski.

State police said he was treated at the scene by EMS personnel and taken to the Slatington Airport. Zaborowksi was then flown to Saint Luke's Fountain Hill by a medical helicopter.

Authorities said the Slatington Borough police officer suffered a minor injury and there were no injuries to the troopers.

According to police, Zaborowski entered Cigars International on the 4000 block of Nazareth Pike in Bethlehem Township around 11:23 a.m. Friday without a face covering, as required by Governor Tom Wolf's pandemic order and the store's own COVID-19 policy.

Police said workers at the store told Zaborowski he needed to wear a mask, or they could deliver his order curbside.

"Zaborowski became irate, grabbed two cigars from a shelf and exited the store without paying," Bethlehem police said.

A staff member followed Zaborowski outside calling for him to return the cigars.

That's when, police said, Zaborowski turned around and pulled out a gun.

Police said he fired one shot in the air and two more at the worker.

No one was hit.

Zaborowski then fled in a blue Dodge Dakota pick-up truck and authorities issued an arrest warrant.