Man facing charges in assault on Sharon Hill officer

SHARON HILL, Pa. (WPVI) -- A man has been charged in connection with a police-involved shooting that left the suspect critically wounded, Delaware County and Montgomery County officials announced on Friday.

Saveon Garrison, 22, of Sharon Hill is facing multiple charges including four counts of aggravated assault, a felony of the first degree, possessing instruments of a crime and other offenses.

Garrison is in police custody at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.

The Delaware County District Attorney's Office asked the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office to assist with the investigation.

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

The incident happened before 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 23.

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 Garrison lunged at officers with a steak knife, slashing one officer in the face.

A Delaware County detective came to provide backup 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 Sonia Benzz, Garrison's mother. "Right now we're focused on praying this thing through."

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

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

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.