NORRISTOWN — In recognition of the “courageous” and “heroic, heads-up actions” that an Upper Merion Township police officer displayed when he came under fire during a chaotic shooting incident outside the King of Prussia Mall at the height of the busy Christmas shopping season in 2022, the officer received a medal of valor from Montgomery County’s top law enforcement officer.
“We honor these law enforcement heroes who get up every day, put on their uniform and badge … and leave their families never knowing what to expect on that day’s shift. They put themselves in harm’s way to make sure that all Montgomery County residents are safe. Their concern is for others’ well-being, always before their own,” District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said shortly before he awarded the medal to Upper Merion Police Corporal Scott Samuels.
At 2:30 p.m. Dec. 18, 2022, Andrew Wiley, 29, of Philadelphia, fired multiple gunshots at Samuels, a married father of two, as he investigated a hit-and-run crash involving Wiley in the area of the mall.
Samuels was not injured during the incident and returned gunfire as he ran for cover in the parking lot of the Seasons 52 restaurant at the popular mall complex. Authorities said Samuels fired his weapon at Wiley, striking him and stopping the threat to the officer as well as to innocent bystanders.
Wiley sustained non-life-threatening gunshot wounds to his thigh and ankle during the incident.
“Due to Corporal Samuels’ heroic, heads-up actions that day, no civilians were injured. No members of law enforcement were physically injured. And Corporal Samuels went home that night to his pregnant wife and young son,” Steele told a crowd gathered on May 21 for his annual law enforcement commendation ceremony at the Montgomery County Public Safety Training Campus in Plymouth Township.
“Corporal Samuels, your courageous actions that morning were in the highest tradition of law enforcement. I am very pleased to award you this medal of valor on behalf of all Montgomery County citizens, along with my profound appreciation and gratitude,” Steele addressed Samuels as spectators applauded to show their appreciation.
The medal of valor is the district attorney’s most prestigious award. It is presented to those select law enforcement officials who bravely place their lives at risk to protect the county’s citizens.
After a three-day trial last November, a jury convicted Wiley of charges of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, assault of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, possession of an instrument of crime and firearms not to be carried without a license in connection with the shooting incident.
In March, Judge William R Carpenter sentenced Wiley to 25 to 50 years in a state correctional facility.
During the trial, Steele and co-prosecutor Tanner Beck argued Wiley intended to kill Samuels when he fired six gunshots at Samuels during the incident.
The investigation began about 2:30 p.m. on the Sunday before Christmas when a hit-and-run crash in the King of Prussia Mall area involving a red Nissan Juke operated by Wiley was reported to police. An Upper Merion bicycle officer located the striking Nissan Juke parked in a mall parking garage, with Wiley attempting to hide in the vehicle, according to court papers.
Wiley started the vehicle and fled toward the mall’s Gulph Road exit but became stuck in traffic, detectives alleged. As Samuels’ marked patrol car with its lights activated pulled behind the Nissan Juke, the vehicle jumped a curb and Wiley attempted to escape through the Seasons 52 restaurant parking lot but his vehicle became disabled after driving over a four-foot retaining wall.
The patrol car’s dashcam video showed Samuels exiting his vehicle and approaching the Juke.
Samuels testified he drew his gun when he observed Wiley appear to reach for something in the center console. Seconds later, Wiley fired multiple gunshots at Samuels who quickly moved to take cover behind an SUV as he returned fire. Wiley fell to the ground.
“This all took place in a crowded parking lot, adjacent to a busy road, with multiple people and vehicles around,” Steele said.
As Upper Merion police officers began rendering aid to an agitated Wiley, he stated, “just kill me” and “shoot me in the head,” according to testimony.
Multiple witnesses recounted to detectives that Wiley fired upon Samuels, who then returned fire to stop the threat, according to testimony.
Wiley was transported to Paoli Hospital for treatment of the non-life-threatening injuries to his thigh and ankle.
A ghost gun, an unbranded 9mm Glock-type firearm with no serial number, was found on the ground next to Wiley.
