British expat shot dead after pointing gun at US officers

A British expat has been shot dead by police after pointing a gun at them outside his home in Pennsylvania.

Officers opened fire on Gregor Fleming, 44, after he “displayed a firearm” and moved towards them on March 7 in Hampden Township.

He died immediately, with his American fiancee, Kelly Thompson, 47, a medical assistant, witnessing the shooting.

Pennsylvania State Police have begun an investigation but Ms Thompson refused to criticise their handling of the incident.

She told the Daily Record: “I watched everything happen. He left the police with no choice.

“They told him to drop the gun several times and he refused. He started walking towards them with the gun and they had no choice but to do what they did.

“It’s an image burned in my mind that I will never forget. I watched the love of my life die right in front of me.”

Originally from Thornliebank, near Glasgow, Mr Fleming was described as “a beacon of strength, resilience and warmth” by Ms Thompson.

‘Suicidal over fears of throat cancer’

She told the Daily Record how he had been depressed and drinking heavily around the time of his death after a medical scan indicated he may have throat cancer.

Ms Thompson said: “He has been in severe pain since February after breaking his back and on top of that the imaging found a mass on his oesophagus that was likely cancer.

“He spiralled out of control and started drinking heavily and became suicidal.

“He was depressed and scared about possible cancer and the alcohol and medications he was on for pain didn’t help.”

Mr Fleming moved to the US in 2013 and had been training to be a plumber.

He planned to return to Scotland after he and Ms Thompson were married. The couple met when they were both living in Virginia.

She described the Rangers fan as a “selfless, kind, generous and loving person” who was an “amazing stepfather” to her four children.

A Pennsylvania State Police spokesman said: “On 7 March, 2024, Hampden Township Police were dispatched to the area of the 5000 block of Erbs Bridge Road, Hampden Township, Cumberland County, for a disturbance.

“During the course of the investigation, the subject of the disturbance displayed a firearm.

“At that time, the officers discharged their firearms, striking the subject. The subject was pronounced deceased at the scene.”

A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “We are providing consular assistance to the family of a British man who has died in the USA.”