A 44-year-old Pennsylvania man is behind bars facing murder charges after he allegedly shot and killed a Children's Hospital of Philadelphia nurse as she drove down a township street Saturday night, just two hours after police had interacted with him during a mental health crisis.
Background
Steve Jahn called 911 at approximately 8:30 p.m. from a PNC bank in Paoli, claiming he was being followed by multiple people, including undercover police officers, according to court documents. Jahn told dispatchers he had a loaded 9mm handgun.
Tredyffrin Township police responded to the scene and found Jahn in his truck with his hands raised. He frantically repeated his claims about being followed. The officer informed the armed man that he could commit himself to a hospital for a mental health evaluation, but would need to surrender his loaded handgun.
Jahn held a permit for concealed carry and refused to give up the weapon. He agreed to go to the hospital if police provided an escort, and officers complied, following him to Paoli Hospital. Once there, Jahn refused to go inside, claiming the cars in the parking lot were part of the group pursuing him.
Police ultimately let him leave, determining that a man experiencing a mental health crisis while armed with a loaded handgun did not meet the legal standard for involuntary commitment, which requires evidence that he was a danger to himself or others.
After leaving the hospital, Jahn drove through Berwyn and Tredyffrin Township. Court documents indicate he interacted with a man and his son in a driveway at one point.
Approximately two hours after his initial 911 call, Jahn shot Megan Nieberle as she drove down Contention Lane in Tredyffrin Township. Neighbors found her slumped over the wheel of her SUV and she was taken to Paoli Hospital, where she died the following day.
The Investigation
After the shooting, Jahn drove to a relative's home in Berwyn. That family member called 911, reporting that Jahn had brought weapons and a dashcam into the house.
Police located Jahn's vehicle and responded to the home, taking him into custody. Officers seized two weapons and a dashcam, which contained video showing Jahn driving with a gun in his lap on Saturday night.
Surveillance cameras and license plate readers placed Jahn in the area of the shooting. The dashcam footage showed him removing the camera minutes before police arrived at the scene. He was heard saying, "I ain't playing no more" while driving with the gun on his lap. Sirens are heard in the video, and he is seen placing a gun in the glove compartment.
Jahn has been charged with criminal homicide, first-degree murder, third-degree murder, and possession of an instrument of a crime with intent. Police believe the fatal shooting was random, as Jahn and Nieberle had no prior connection.
Key Takeaways
- Steve Jahn, 44, called police at 8:30 p.m. claiming he was being followed and had a loaded 9mm handgun
- Police responded but let Jahn leave after he refused mental health evaluation at Paoli Hospital
- About two hours later, Jahn allegedly shot and killed nurse Megan Nieberle as she drove on Contention Lane
- Nieberle worked at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and died at Paoli Hospital the day after the shooting
- Jahn was arrested at a relative's home; police seized two weapons and dashcam footage
- No connection existed between Jahn and the victim, police say the shooting appears random
What's Next
Jahn remains in custody in Pennsylvania. He is scheduled to face preliminary arraignment on the charges, which include first-degree murder. The case will proceed through Chester County courts, where prosecutors will pursue the murder charges. Further court dates have not yet been set.
The investigation continues as authorities review evidence including the dashcam footage, surveillance video, and license plate reader data to build their case against Jahn.