Officer cleared in deadly Ambler police shooting

(WPHL) — Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele announced Wednesday an Ambler police officer was justified in using deadly force during a fatal police shooting last month.

Just after 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2025, Ambler Police responded to a 9-1-1 call made by Roberto Aguilar Cholula, 43. According to the DA’s office, Cholula told the 911 dispatcher that he wanted to die and had a knife in his hand.

When officers arrived, they found Cholula outside of the Forest Garden Apartments, holding a black knife in his hand. According to DA Steele, Cholula later pulled out a larger, butcher-style knife, and held a knife in each hand.

According to a news release from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, Cholula refused to comply with multiple commands by police to put the knives down. He advanced toward officers, with one officer discharging his Taser, but this proved to be ineffective, as Cholula kept coming toward the officers.

The second officer fired one shot, hitting Cholula in the abdomen. Cholula dropped to the ground and officers immediately rendered aid. He was taken to Jefferson Abington Hospital where he later died.

“These officers attempted to get the subject to comply with multiple commands to drop his deadly weapons as he advanced toward them,” said Steele. “Our investigation determined the facts of this case supported the use of deadly force by police officers.”

Per protocol, the Montgomery County Detective Bureau conducted the investigation. County detectives interviewed police officers and witnesses, reviewed the 911 call, police bodycam, and other evidence. According to DA Steele, the officers involved cooperated with the investigation.