Cinnaminson man fatally shot by Pa. police after gun-shop burglary

A young Cinnaminson man, facing gun charges locally, broke into a gun shop in rural Pennsylvania early Monday and then, authorities said, was shot dead in a soybean field as he confronted police.

Authorities are still investigating why Joshua Malave, 18, stole a cache of weapons from the Horseshoe Pike Gunshop in Campbelltown.

Lebanon County District Attorney David Arnold said Wednesday that authorities were piecing together what had been going on in Malave's life that led up to the deadly shooting and "what his motivation was" that morning.

One law enforcement authority said he believed Malave, a June graduate of Cinnaminson High School, had been on vacation with his family. The gun shop is within six miles of Hershey Park, about 15 miles east of Harrisburg, and is surrounded by wooded areas, lakes, and farms.

Arnold said police arrived at the shop after responding to an activated burglar alarm. They saw Malave crawling in the soybean field across the street, he said. Malave had a rifle he was ordered to drop, Arnold said.

Instead, Malave fired in a quick exchange with officers that left him dead, Arnold said. Not many shots were fired, he said.

Two Lebanon County media outlets reported that a casing from Malave's rifle was recovered from the scene.

"He had many, many guns on him," Arnold said.

"As you got out into the soybean field, there were several different bags and backpacks along the way filled with handguns that were stolen out of the shop," Arnold said.

There were also several guns lying outside the window of the gun shop, he said.

Arnold said it appeared the rifle Malave fired was his own.

The shop owners, Jim and Cheryl Heverling, said in a statement they were thankful for the quick response of law enforcement, and "our thoughts and prayers are with the victim's family."

Malave, an employee of the Cinnaminson ShopRite market, appeared to have had an active Twitter account with a variety of posts that included looking forward to vacation, remarks about sadness and anguish, and warnings of recklessness. One picture uploaded June 28 appeared to be Malave target-shooting with a short-stock rifle and the post: "marksman by heart, killer by trade."

Another post warns that "alot of illegal events will commence" on the Fourth of July. On July 3: "this is gonna get pretty damn reckless." July 6: "live life with no regrets because tomorrow isn't a promise."

July 9: "feeling reckless."

Late that afternoon, Delran police responded to a report that shots were fired. Detective Dennis Rooney said that as officers arrived, they too heard gunshots and saw four teenagers near Lake Lonnie. Two ran, two stayed.

Malave, Rooney said, was identified as the teen with the gun. Delran and Riverside police swarmed the area, leading one of the teens, a juvenile, to surrender. A Willingboro canine unit assisted with locating Malave, who was unarmed at that time.

Rooney said Wednesday that Malave was quiet during his interview with police and denied having had a weapon. Malave's father, Rooney said, arrived to pick up his son but left after he could not post $100,000 bail.

Malave was charged with possession of a weapon, hindering apprehension, and related offenses. He was placed in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly and later released.

On July 17, the Twitter feed read: "fresh out of prison." There are pictures of fishing, on a boat, and more remarks including, "when you have a part of you missing its sad what replaces it," and, "wanna escape this hell" on July 23. On July 25, "can't wait for vacation," and July 27, "next week gonna be one for the books :)"

In New Jersey, Cinnaminson School Superintendent Salvatore Illuzzi offered condolences for the district's recent graduate: "The Malave family is in our thoughts and prayers."

856-779-3838@BBBoyer