Shot by a Bethlehem officer, Decoltius Dickerson faces attempted homicide charge.
By Pamela Lehman, OF THE MORNING CALL
September 16, 2010
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A Bethlehem man shot by police after allegedly stabbing his girlfriend during a standoff at his Jackson Street home Monday night told the victims he "was ready to die," according to court records filed Wednesday.
Police said Decoltius Dickerson, 44, will be charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment, unlawful restraint, terroristic threats and possession of drug paraphernalia.
On Wednesday afternoon, Dickerson remained in critical condition at St. Luke's Hospital-Fountain Hill, where he was recovering from a gunshot wound to his upper torso. Dickerson will be arraigned on the charges when he is released, police said.
Court documents filed Wednesday give a hint to the motive behind Dickerson's actions. According to the documents:
Days before the standoff, Dickerson was told by his girlfriend, Kristina Fallstich, that she was moving and didn't want him living with her.
On Monday, Dickerson broke into 506 Jackson St. where he "laid in wait" in the basement with a knife for Fallstich.
When Fallstich, two unidentified boys and Dickerson's daughter, Auzjia, returned to the home, one of the boys discovered Dickerson in the basement holding a knife.
Dickerson warned the boy not to call police because he did not want to return to prison and "was ready to die." Dickerson also told the boy he would kill one of them.
One of the boys was able to send a text message about being held at knifepoint and shortly after 11 p.m. Monday, officers surrounded the home. The boys and Auzjia Dickerson escaped out the front door and she told police her father was holding Fallstich at knifepoint in a first-floor bathroom.
Police tried to contact Dickerson, but he became increasingly agitated. When an unidentified police officer stationed outside a tiny bathroom window saw Fallstich being stabbed, he fired two shots, striking Dickerson.
Fallstich had been stabbed twice in the neck, once in the upper torso and once in the left arm. Fallstich remains hospitalized, but police said she is recovering from the injuries and may soon be released.
Police officials have not yet released the name of the officer involved in the shooting, but police Commissioner Stuart Bedics said the officer's actions saved Fallstich's life. State police are investigating the shooting and Dickerson will be prosecuted through the Northampton County district attorney's office.
On Sept. 1, Dickerson was charged with harassment after Fallstich said he choked her during a dispute at a Bethlehem home. As police investigated, they determined Dickerson was wanted on two Northampton County bench warrants and he was turned over to the sheriff's department.
Dickerson was sent to Northampton County Prison and was serving a three-month sentence for a domestic relations civil contempt charge. On Monday, police said, Dickerson was released from the prison to look for a job, but he failed to return that afternoon and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
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