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Man found unresponsive in jail cell, dies; was involved in 2020 shootout

A man who was involved in a shootout in Slatington borough has died after being found unresponsive in his jail cell Friday morning.

The Lehigh County Department of Corrections said at 6:46 a.m. Adam Zaborowski, 37, was found unresponsive in his cell at the Lehigh County Jail.

Staff immediately declared a medical emergency and began administering CPR.

On-site medical personnel assisted with lifesaving efforts. EMS was called and upon arrival at the facility took over the scene. Zaborowski was taken by ambulance to St. Luke’s Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown, where he was pronounced deceased at 7:26 a.m.

The Lehigh County District Attorney’s office and the Lehigh County Coroner’s office are investigating the death. An autopsy will be scheduled and further information will be released by the coroner’s office.

Zaborowski was admitted to Lehigh County Jail on Aug. 10, 2020, on multiple charges after firing shots into the air and at the clerk of Cigars International, 4078 Nazareth Pike, Bethlehem, on July 31, 2020. He was reported to be upset about needing to wear a mask in the store.

Zaborowski fled the scene, but was identified and police learned he had an apartment at 801 Main St., Apartment #3S in Slatington.

An alert was issued and at 9:35 a.m. the next day an officer from Slatington, as well as two state troopers from Bethlehem, attempted to make a traffic stop at the intersection of East Washington and Second streets in Slatington.

The vehicle, driven by Zaborowski, then 35, stopped at the intersection and Zaborowski immediately got out of his truck and started firing at the Slatington Police Department marked vehicle, which contained an officer as well as marked State Police vehicles and responding troopers inside the state police vehicles.

Zaborowski fired several rounds in an attempt to strike the responding officers. As a result, the Slatington Police Department and troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police returned gunfire with Zaborowski, subsequently striking him. Slatington officer Sgt. David Alercia was injured in the exchange.

Lehigh County District Attorney James B. Martin has ruled police were justified in the shooting.

Zaborowski was scheduled for a pre-trial conference on April 20 in Lehigh County court.

Zaborowski