MOUNT PLEASANT — A state trooper fatally shot a man who reportedly stabbed the officer with scissors on Friday when police confronted him for stealing at a southwestern Pennsylvania shopping plaza.

Shopper Joyce Gales, of Connellsville, told a Pittsburgh newspaper that a cashier at the Save-a-Lot store in East Huntingdon Township called police when the man began drinking and eating snacks without paying.

When troopers arrived, the man stabbed one in the head with scissors. Several shots were fired as the ordeal spilled into the parking lot of the Crossroads Plaza along U.S. Route 119, about 35 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.

The suspect was killed. He was later identified as Seth William O’Donnell, 26, of Scottdale.

Trooper Steve Limani, a spokesman for the Greensburg barracks whose officers responded, confirmed the shopper’s account and added other details.

Limani said the chain of events actually began at a Wal-Mart nearby where O’Donnell, described as familiar to police, was acting violently with scissors toward store employees.

Troopers were called when O’Donnell entered the supermarket and was again waving the scissors as he refused to pay for the snacks, Limani said.

The trooper reportedly shot the man in the doorway of the supermarket after he was cut by the scissors, and the assailant ran into the parking lot where he collapsed, Limani told reporters at the scene.

Police have yet to release the name of the trooper, who is described only as a 10-year veteran. He was taken to a hospital for stitches to his head, and was expected to recover fully.

Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck and some of his detectives were investigating, along with state police.

It is routine for the county prosecutor to review the use of deadly force by police.

Peck did not return a call for comment.