Manheim Township’s police chief is on paid leave after surveillance footage surfaced showing him drawing a gun on a motorcyclist while off duty, sparking legal fallout and public outrage.
At a Glance
- Manheim Township Police Chief Duane Fisher placed on leave after off-duty incident
- Video shows Fisher drawing a gun without identifying himself as law enforcement
- Motorcyclist Benny Peña-Rivera was initially charged, but all criminal counts were dropped
- Lancaster County District Attorney declined to investigate, citing “protocol adherence”
- Peña-Rivera intends to file a lawsuit against Fisher
Video Captures Gun Drawn Without ID
On April 30, 2025, 24-year-old motorcyclist Benny Peña-Rivera was approached behind a Wingstop restaurant by an off-duty man in shorts and a polo shirt. That man was Manheim Township Police Chief Duane Fisher, who exited his unmarked car with a firearm drawn, but no visible badge or activated police lights. Surveillance footage reviewed by Local21 News shows Fisher pinning Peña-Rivera against an electric box while keeping the gun aimed at him.
Peña-Rivera later told reporters, “If that video wouldn’t be there, I wouldn’t know what would have happened… He didn’t have no lights, he didn’t have no badge.”
Watch a report: Police Chief on Leave After Off-Duty Incident.
Criminal Charges Dropped
Initially, Peña-Rivera was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and resisting arrest, but after reviewing the video, prosecutors dropped the charges. He instead pleaded guilty to minor traffic infractions, including careless driving and operating an unregistered vehicle. According to the New York Post, Fisher did not activate his vehicle’s emergency lights until nearly two minutes into the altercation—well after drawing his weapon.
Witnesses, including Peña-Rivera’s manager, said Fisher only identified himself as law enforcement after being confronted by bystanders.
No Investigation, But a Lawsuit Ahead
Despite public concern, Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams declined to investigate, stating Fisher’s actions did not violate criminal statutes. In contrast, the Manheim Township Police Department placed Fisher on paid administrative leave and launched an internal review of the confrontation.
Peña-Rivera has since announced plans to sue. “All I heard was, ‘On the ground or I will shoot you,’” he said in a follow-up interview. “What was the reason you’re going to shoot me for?”
The incident raises broader questions about police conduct, escalation, and the responsibilities of officers to properly identify themselves—especially when off duty.
