Hatboro councilman 'not hiding' amid shooting probe

Days after chasing and shooting a suspected bank robber, a Hatboro councilman said the ongoing investigation into the incident would not keep him from serving as an elected official.

"I'm not hiding," George Forgeng said outside Borough Hall before Monday evening's meeting.

Police and prosecutors are investigating whether to press charges against Forgeng, who shot Kevin Way in a hand and an arm Wednesday morning.

Forgeng declined to speak about the shooting. "I'll be honest with you, I really can't comment on that," he said.

William Tompkins, president of the all-Republican council, opened the meeting by stating that the shooting was still under investigation.

"Please understand, the council has no position on this matter," Tompkins read from a statement. "Mr. Forgeng was acting in the capacity of a private citizen, not as a borough official acting on behalf of the borough or Borough Council."

Forgeng was driving by the TD Bank at York Road and Lehman Avenue on Wednesday morning, police said, when he saw a dye pack explode and assumed the man near it had just robbed the bank.

The councilman got out of his car and chased Way for a quarter of a mile, to the parking lot of an industrial complex. He told police that he shouted several times for Way to stop, and that once in the parking lot, Way turned around and began to approach him when Forgeng said he had a gun.

Officials said Forgeng has a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Way, 30, of Hatboro, was unarmed.

Way was hospitalized for a day after the shooting. He has been charged with robbing the bank and is being held at the Montgomery County prison. He is scheduled to appear in court Thursday for a preliminary hearing on charges of theft, robbery, and other crimes.

First Assistant District Attorney Kevin Steele has said it would be several days before his office determines whether the shooting was justified.

Hatboro Police Chief James Gardener said Monday that his department was assisting with the investigation, but that he did not know when it would conclude.

Forgeng, 60, is a teacher at Harry S. Truman High School in Levittown. He was appointed to the board in May to fill a vacant seat and is running for election in November.

During Monday's meeting, Forgeng did not speak. Other council members discussed borough business, including plans for an interfaith prayer service and family picnic marking Hatboro's 300th anniversary. The meeting was adjourned after about 10 minutes.

Before the meeting, Forgeng said he was trying to stay quiet about the incident and continue his everyday life - which includes attending Borough Council meetings.

"Why would I not?" he said.

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