'Nasty' Delco 80-year-old jailed for allegedy firing at cops

The 80-year-old man who police said fired nine shots at officers and threatened to shoot down a news helicopter -- evidently because he was angry at The Inquirer -- is being held at the Delaware County jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next Thursday for Joseph Smith, of Upper Darby Township.

After Smith called 911 threatening to kill himself, police arrived at Smith's apartment about 7:45 p.m. Wednesday and found him "irate," said Michael Chitwood, the Upper Darby police superintendent.

Smith fired three shots out the window at police, then six more over the course of the night. The area was evacuated as police from several departments negotiated with Smith for two hours.

Smith said he had bombs and guns and would kill anyone who tried to come through the door of his apartment. When a Channel 10 news helicopter flew overhead, Smith said he would blow it "out of the sky," Chitwood said.

Police then fired tear gas through a window and entered the apartment, where they found Smith in a bedroom with a 9mm handgun, Chitwood said.

Smith dropped the gun but told police they had to come and get him. It took six officers to take him into custody, even after he had been tasered twice.

"We had to put two pairs of handcuffs on him, and he was very, very nasty. Very mean," Chitwood said.

Police found the handgun, a .22 caliber rifle and between 150 and 200 rounds of ammunition in his apartment. Both firearms were fully loaded, Chitwood said.

"He was determined that he was going to shoot it out with the police," Chitwood said.

Police say Smith evidently was angry with The Inquirer for reasons that weren't clear.

"During the course of negotiating, he continually talked about the Inquirer. 'Do you know who owns the Inquirer?' He must've asked that question 50 times," Chitwood said.

He also talked about other topics, including Philadelphia sports.

Smith was taken to Delaware County Hospital to be treated for injuries on his wrist, but no one else was injured.

Police later learned from Smith's family that he was suffering from sleep deprivation and had not slept in three or four days.

Smith had no arrest record and had been living in his apartment for at least 10 years, Chitwood said.

Smith was arraigned Thursday on 23 counts, including aggravated assault, assault, terroristic threats and gun violations, Chitwood said.

He was ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation.

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jmcdaniel@philly.com

@McDanielJustine