Knife-wielding man killed in officer-involved shooting in Ambler: officials

Deadly officer-involved shooting in Ambler

An investigation is underway after officials say a fatal officer-involved shooting occurred in Ambler Saturday night.

AMBLER, Pa. - An investigation is underway in Montgomery County after officials say a fatal officer-involved shooting occurred Saturday night. 

What we know:

On Saturday at around 7:34 p.m., a 911 call was called in Ambler for a suspicious person. 

Upon arrival to Forrest Avenue and School Street, Ambler police encountered 43-year-old Robert Aguilar Cholula of Ambler. 

They say Aguilar Cholula wielded a large, butcher-style knife. 

When officers issued commands to drop the knife, officials say Cholula did not comply. 

Then they say the 43-year-old ran toward officers and one officer fired his taser, which did not stop Cholula. 

The other officer then fired one shot, striking Cholula. 

He was taken to Jefferson Abington Hospital, where he later died.

What they're saying:

The family of 43-year-old Robert Cholula said he was a loving father, but did not want to comment further.

Mike Scholtz recorded the moments police swarmed his quiet community on Saturday evening.

"It’s definitely scary for it to happen right in our neighborhood," he said. "It’s a really tricky, sensitive situation, and it’s just unfortunate it went down like that, but, cops did the best they could do."

A woman who did not want FOX 29 to use her name says she encountered him moments before the incident, and noticed he had something in his hand.

"He walked kind of back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, and it scared me so I went back, kind of went back in the house," she said. "They did everything they could. They did."

Another neighbor who asked that we stay anonymous also witnessed the situation escalate.

"He must’ve said it 20 plus times, he just kept saying it over and over, ‘Put it on the ground, put it on the ground,’ and it seemed to go on forever," she said. "It’s heartbreaking, you know, my heart goes out to both of them, but the policeman, I’m just so grateful."

Investigators have not released any other details about the initial 911 call or if Cholula was saying anything during the encounter.

"It’s just sad because I know what it’s like to have mental health issues, and I can kind of relate to the guy, whatever happened, I can kind of relate and it just sad to see that stuff plays out like this," said Scholtz.

What's next:

 Montgomery County Detectives responded to the scene and are conducting an investigation into the shooting.