The lawyer of a US man arrested for firing at police officers after refusing to wear a face mask says he has been under significant pressure from the COVID-19 pandemic.
On July 31, Adam Zaborowski, 35, visited a cigar store in Slatington, Pennsylvania when he was approached by staff for not wearing a face mask.
Currently face coverings are mandatory in Pennsylvania for residents in all public spaces.
The Bethlehem Township Police said Zaborowski became "irate", grabbed two cigars from the store and exited without paying.
"A staff member followed Zaborowski outside calling for him to return the cigars. Zaborowski turned around, pulled out a semiautomatic handgun and fired one round in the air then two rounds at the staff member."
No one was injured in the shooting.
On August 1, police cornered Zaborowski near his home where he fired at police, sparking a shootout with at least seven officers, the Express-Times on Sunday reported.
Zaborowski was shot multiple times and is currently under arrest in hospital.
Defence attorney John Waldron told the Express-Times on Sunday he had spoken to Zaborowski's father who provided some insight into the shooting.
He said Zaborowski had recently lost his job, lost a custody battle for his child and was "just not handling the pandemic well".
"I think he was getting stretched too tight."
Waldron said he knows Adam and his family and "this is not his typical behavior pattern."
But Lehigh County District Attorney James Martin said" "It doesn't excuse his conduct".
Waldron said Zaborowski is expected to recover and be released from the hospital in two to three days.
He is now charged with 22 counts including attempted homicide, aggravated assault and robbery, the Express-Times reported, and is being held on US$1 million bail.
