By Manuel Gamiz Jr
The Morning Call
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A 32-year-old Lehigh County probation officer died after falling from the seventh floor of the parking garage near Allentown City Hall on Thursday afternoon, according to city police, who said the the death appeared to be a suicide.
Justin D. Shellhammer of Weaversville Road, East Allen Township, fell at 2:51 p.m. from the parking garage at Fourth and Hamilton street, Lehigh County Coroner Scott Grim said.
Grim, who pronounced Shellhammer dead at 3:20 p.m., did not confirm the death was a suicide. He said Shellhammer “either fell or jumped from the parking deck.”
An autopsy is scheduled Friday to determine the exact cause of death, the coroner said.
Around 3 p.m., a sheet covered the body on the sidewalk in front of the garage.
Police Capt. Bill Reinik said the man appeared to have fallen from the seventh floor.
County officials said Shellhammer was a county probation officer. An American flag was draped over his body before it was taken away in a hearse.
County detectives also were on scene and authorities were looking through several floors on the Fourth Street side of the garage.
Grim said city police, county detectives and his officer are working together on the investigation.