SUNBURY - The teenager who was shot by a Sunbury police officer during a June 5 pursuit in the city remained in fair condition Tuesday at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, but could be released within a few days.
Naheem Reams, 17, was initially listed in critical condition following the shooting, but was later upgraded to fair, according to a hospital spokeswoman.
Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Rosini said he expects Reams to be released from the hospital in the next few days. And, Rosini said Tuesday, a state police investigation into the shooting incident should be completed within two weeks.
Trooper Ronald Zanella of state police at Stonington, the lead investigator in the case, and Trooper Matt Burrows, community service officer with Troop F in Milton, were unavailable for comment Tuesday.
Burrows previously reported charges against Reams would not be filed until the teen is well enough to answer to them. He said Reams' health is the current priority.
It is not clear if Reams would be charged as a juvenile or an adult, but if felony offenses are filed, it's likely he'd be charged as an adult.
Northumberland County Juvenile Probation Department issued a warrant for Reams on May 20, but further details about his criminal past aren't available because of the ongoing investigation.
Reams recently lived in Sunbury and was in a group home approved by Northumberland County Children and Youth Services when the shooting occurred.
June 5 shooting
As part of the investigation, state police will determine if the shooting was justified.
The incident began on Fifth Street at about 1 a.m. when police approached a car while clearing the street for the street sweeper. That's when they say Reams sped off in a "reckless manner."
The resulting chase ended about one mile away when police said Reams struck two police vehicles and tried to hit a police officer who then shot him. An affidavit said the officer "simultaneously while taking evasive action from being hit, shot into the car's windshield."
Reams' friends and family said the teen was shot in the abdomen.
Reams' 1997 Saturn came to rest in the grass of Merle Phillips Park between Front Street and the flood wall at the Susquehanna River.
The officer who fired the shot suffered a minor head injury. He has not been identified and was placed on administrative leave along with two other city officers who were part of the pursuit.