Donora arrest, video sparks investigation
Shawn Bowman contends excessive force was used when he was taken into custody in August.
Donora borough officials say they are investigating the actions of a police officer captured on video punching and using a Taser on a man during an August arrest, an incident that has drawn widespread attention on social media and raised questions about the use of force.
The video, recorded Aug. 22, shows an officer confronting Shawn R. Bowman, 53, while Bowman is seated in a chair on a porch. A physical struggle follows as the officer attempts to take Bowman into custody, striking him in the face and deploying a Taser.
Court records identify the arresting officer as David Doroshkevich, who acknowledged in a sworn affidavit of probable cause that he struck Bowman with a closed fist and deployed his Taser during the encounter.
The incident has prompted borough officials to review what happened, although it remains unclear whether a formal investigation has begun or whether the officer has been removed from patrol duties.
Donora Mayor Don Pavelko confirmed that no formal complaint had been filed against the officer within the police department, but said borough officials are reviewing the incident.
“We are looking into it. We are looking into it aggressively,” Pavelko said.
When asked for additional information about the borough’s response, Pavelko said he is “gathering all of the information he could gather” at this time.
Donora Council President Casey Perrotta said borough officials will determine what action is appropriate after the investigation is complete.
“The borough is taking this issue seriously, and it will be thoroughly investigated, and whatever the outcome of the investigation reveals after all parties are interviewed, appropriate action will be taken,” Perrotta said.
The footage shows Bowman seated on a porch as the officer attempts to place him under arrest. During the encounter, Bowman moves his arms as the officer attempts to gain control of him. The officer then strikes Bowman during the struggle and deploys a Taser, after which Bowman falls from the chair onto the porch floor.
The recording does not capture the entire encounter, and it is unclear what occurred before the events shown in the video.
According to the criminal complaint filed in the office of Magisterial District Judge Mark Wilson, Doroshkevich was responding to an incident involving Bowman when the confrontation occurred.
In the affidavit, Doroshkevich alleges Bowman resisted efforts to place him under arrest by pulling his hands away and refusing to comply with instructions to put his hands behind his back.
Doroshkevich wrote that he struck Bowman on the left side of his face with a closed fist and subsequently deployed his Taser, striking Bowman in the stomach and chest.
The officer alleged Bowman continued resisting before eventually being taken into custody.
The video provides a view of the confrontation, but without the full encounter or accompanying audio, it does not independently establish what commands were given or whether Bowman verbally responded to the officer.
Bowman was charged with misdemeanor counts of simple assault and resisting arrest.
According to court records, Bowman waived his preliminary hearing Sept. 2, and the case was transferred to Washington County Court of Common Pleas. Formal charges were filed Oct. 14 by the Washington County District Attorney’s Office.
Bowman posted $10,000 bail Thursday, according to court records. A fast-track proceeding is scheduled for Nov. 24 at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Traci L. McDonald.
The charges remain pending.
Dennis Hawkins, a Donora resident who knows Bowman and shared the video on social media, said he wanted to bring attention to what happened and encourage accountability. Hawkins said the video was sent to him by a friend of a friend who knew he often spoke out about issues affecting the community.
After receiving the footage, Hawkins posted it online.
He said the video has generated approximately 200,000 views, more than 350 shares and roughly 500 comments.
Hawkins said his decision to share the footage was about more than one arrest.
“But me sharing it was to get awareness out of what is happening, not only in the Mon Valley, but it’s happening all over the world,” he said. “We just got a chance to experience it right here in this small valley.”
He hopes the attention will encourage officials to address the incident and prevent similar situations in the future.
Hawkins also questioned the force used against Bowman, particularly while Bowman was seated.
“Even if a person has committed a crime, they don’t deserve to be treated like that,” Hawkins said. “There is no justification for it.”
Hawkins said he intends to help Bowman connect with resources and obtain assistance as he considers his options.
Bowman, who was with Hawkins during an interview Friday, said he’s grateful for the support he has received since the video circulated.
“Yeah, it feels good to be back home again,” Bowman said, adding that he was glad to have people supporting him.
Bowman said he wants the police department held accountable for what happened and hopes to pursue the matter through the courts.
“I just want something done with the police department,” Bowman said.
He also plans to obtain an attorney and pursue legal action concerning the incident.
Hawkins said Bowman has been dealing with difficult personal circumstances in addition to the arrest, including the recent death of his wife.
“Do you understand the mental anguish that he’s going through?” Hawkins said.
Hawkins said he wants Bowman to know he does not have to face the situation alone.
“A lot of times, people just be fighting a good fight by themselves, and then they get flustered and just give in and say, ‘I quit,’” Hawkins said.
He said having others willing to stand alongside someone can make a difference.
The incident comes months after another Donora police arrest drew scrutiny following the death of John “Koo Koo” Miller, 57, who died March 22, five days after an encounter with borough police.
Miller’s death prompted an investigation by Pennsylvania State Police and the Washington County District Attorney’s Office after his family raised questions about the circumstances of his arrest and whether police use of force contributed to his death.
In July, District Attorney Jason Walsh announced that his office had cleared the officer involved in Miller’s arrest, determining the officer acted in accordance with department policy, procedure and Pennsylvania law.
According to Walsh, officers encountered Miller on March 17 while responding to an unrelated incident and determined he had an active warrant.
Miller fled when officers attempted to take him into custody, and a Taser was deployed but was unsuccessful.
Investigators determined that neither the Taser probes nor a drive stun made contact with Miller.
During the arrest, Miller suffered a medical emergency and was transported to a hospital, where he died five days later.
An autopsy determined Miller died from mixed drug toxicity involving fentanyl and cocaine, with cardiovascular disease listed as a contributing factor.
Walsh said his office reviewed the state police investigation, police reports, body camera footage and Taser data before concluding the officer had acted lawfully.
The investigation was subsequently closed.
Officials did not publicly identify the officer involved in Miller’s arrest. However, Hawkins, who has spoken publicly about both incidents, identified Doroshkevich as an officer involved in the encounter with Miller.
No finding of wrongdoing was made against the officer in Miller’s case.
Under Pennsylvania’s Borough Code, a mayor has authority to suspend a police officer for cause, subject to statutory procedures and applicable employment protections.
The law also provides borough council with authority to take disciplinary action, including suspension, discharge, demotion or reinstatement.
It remains unclear whether Donora officials are considering disciplinary action, administrative reassignment or an independent review of the August arrest.
