A former Butler County resident and graduate of Butler Senior High School’s class of 1999 has died after an encounter with Delaware State Police.

Gregory Painter, 44, of Milford, Del., was fatally wounded in an incident that took place May 1 in Milton, Del.

According to a news release from the Delaware State Police, state troopers shot Painter in self-defense after he charged at them with a knife.

Painter was publicly identified on Monday, May 4.

The incident began shortly before 4 p.m. May 1, when troopers responded to multiple reports of an impaired driver, a news release said. The vehicle, a red Ford F-150 driven by Painter, was seen driving erratically and slowly, police said.

According to the release, police tried and failed to initiate a traffic stop, leading to a pursuit. When the truck eventually came to a stop, Painter took a knife with him out of the vehicle and entered an occupied home that was not his, police said.

Soon after, he exited the home, still holding the knife, and, although state troopers repeatedly told him to drop the knife, Painter continued to advance toward them until a pair of officers discharged their firearms in his direction, the release said.

According to police, first aid was rendered, but Painter was pronounced dead at the scene. The two troopers have been placed on administrative leave from the Delaware State Police.

A relative has set up a fundraising campaign on GiveSendGo to offset funeral expenses and the unexpected loss of income for the Painter family, including Painter’s wife and their two children.