In NORRISTOWN, a Philadelphia man has been given a prison sentence of over 20 years for trying to murder an Upper Merion police officer during a chaotic shooting incident at the King of Prussia Mall during the busy Christmas shopping season in 2022.
Andrew Wiley, 29, of the 6900 block of Waxwing Place, has been given a 25 to 50-year prison term in Montgomery County Court for 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 carrying firearms without a license during the 2:30 p.m. Dec. 18, 2022, incident in which he fired multiple shots at Upper Merion Police Corporal Scott Samuels, who is a married father of two.
Judge William R. Carpenter expressed concern about who protects police officers and emphasized the responsibility of the justice system to safeguard law enforcement officers. He stated that there was no justification for Wiley's actions and highlighted his involvement in illegal activities on that day.
Wiley was found guilty of the charges by a jury last November after a three-day trial.
The judge imposed the sentence that was requested by District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and co-prosecutor Tanner C. Beck.
After the hearing, Steele stated that the severe sentence sends a strong message about the consequences of shooting at a police officer, impacting the officer, family, and community members present at the mall during the shooting.
Beck asserted that all law enforcement is affected by such incidents.
Beck stated that the attempted murder of a police officer undermines the fundamental principles of our society. He emphasized the lack of justification for Wiley's devious behavior in a sentencing memorandum and in court.
Beck argued that Wiley's actions had no justification and highlighted how little value he placed on lives of others and police officers, suggesting that Wiley committed the acts because he wanted to avoid a ticket for a minor traffic incident.
Beck contended that the defendant's willingness to try to take a police officer's life over the prospect of a traffic citation reveals his disregard for human life, showing that he is ready, willing, and able to kill when faced with adversity.
Steele and Beck wanted a prison sentence of 25 to 50 years, with a mandatory 20-year term allowed by state law, for assaulting a law enforcement officer.
Police Captain Jeremy Johnson of Upper Merion was happy with the judge’s decision.
Johnson said after the sentencing that they were glad the judge acknowledged the impact on their police officer and the community, and recognized the dangerous nature of their daily work.
Johnson added that people involved in such traumatic incidents may carry the effects for the rest of their lives, but they are fortunate that Scott is still alive, employed, and performing well in his job.
During an emotional testimony, Samuels’ wife spoke directly to Wiley, expressing her anger at him for putting innocent lives in danger and trying to take her husband away. She mentioned that the memory of the incident will stay with her family forever.
She said, “How dare you put innocent lives in danger? How dare you try to take my husband away?” noting that she and her family will live with the memory of the incident forever.
Before receiving his punishment, Wiley apologized for his behavior.
Wiley stated, “I’m not an evil person. I made a big mistake that affected many people. I take full responsibility from the bottom of my heart.”
Wiley’s mother apologized on behalf of her son when speaking to Samuels and his wife, expressing that he was not the same person as on that day and emphasizing that he was not a troublesome child and later suffered from depression.
Wiley’s mother testified, stating, “From the bottom of my heart, I apologize. That’s not how I raised him. He is not the person he was that day.” She mentioned that her son was not a bad child growing up and later suffered from depression.
Defense lawyer Benjamin Cooper argued for a minimum sentence of no more than the 20-year mandatory term that Wiley faced.
Cooper mentioned that there was no justification for Wiley’s actions, but he was going through significant emotional distress at the time. He hopes Wiley receives psychiatric care while in prison and emphasized Wiley’s sincerity in feeling remorseful.
Samuels was not hurt during the incident and returned fire as he sought cover.
Wiley sustained non-life-threatening gunshot wounds to his thigh and ankle during the incident.
An independent investigation by the county detective bureau concluded that Samuels used force lawfully when he shot and wounded an armed Wiley after Wiley fired at the officer in the parking lot of the popular mall complex.
Authorities stated that the officer fired at Wiley, hitting him and putting an end to the threat to the officer and innocent bystanders.
The jury also found Wiley guilty of endangering bystanders, representing the holiday shoppers who were present at the time of the shooting and witnessed it. A woman from central Pennsylvania who had just dined at the Season 52 restaurant testified, “It’s like the shootout at the O.K. Corral.”
During the trial, Steele and Beck argued that Wiley meant to shoot Samuels and fired six gunshots at Samuels during the incident.
Prosecutors presented police dashcam video that recorded the shooting at the crowded retail complex. Detectives said they found several fired cartridge casings at the scene.
However, Cooper argued that Wiley did not plan to kill a police officer and started shooting randomly during the chaotic incident because he wanted to die at the hands of police. Cooper suggested Wiley was experiencing serious mental problems at the time of the incident.
When Wiley testified, he said he didn't mean to kill or hurt Samuels when he fired his ghost gun about five or six times. Wiley said he had consumed alcohol and marijuana earlier and was frustrated and startled after being involved in a minor traffic accident and being confronted by police. He said he shot in the direction of a retaining wall and not necessarily at Samuels.
Wiley said he was depressed on the day of the incident and was thinking about taking his own life.
According to Wiley’s testimony, he bought the handgun on the streets of Philadelphia a month earlier for $600 for protection because others had threatened him.
Prosecutors noted that Wiley made conflicting statements about how he got the gunshot wounds.
Wiley testified that he had the gun in his hand when he drove his vehicle over a retaining wall as he fled from police and it discharged accidentally, a bullet striking him in the leg. However, during a statement he gave on Dec. 18 just hours after the incident, Wiley told county Detective Heather Long that he tried to shoot himself in the head and instead shot himself in the leg.
Prosecutors argued that Wiley’s testimony and statements were so inconsistent that anything he said could not be trusted.
The investigation started 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 found the striking Nissan Juke hidden in a mall parking garage, with Wiley trying to hide in the vehicle, according to court papers.
Wiley started the vehicle and fled toward the mall’s Gulph Road exit but got 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 tried to escape through the Seasons 52 restaurant parking lot but got stuck after driving over a four-foot retaining wall.
The patrol car’s dashcam video showed Samuels leaving his vehicle and approaching the Juke.
Samuels said he drew his gun when he saw Wiley seem 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.
As Upper Merion police officers started helping an agitated Wiley, he said, “just kill me” and “shoot me in the head,” according to testimony.
Several people also told investigators that Wiley shot at Samuels, who then fired back to defend himself, as stated in court.
Wiley was taken to Paoli Hospital to be treated for his non-life-threatening wounds to his thigh and ankle.
A homemade gun, a 9mm Glock-like firearm with no serial number, was discovered on the ground next to Wiley.
