MCKEESPORT, Pa. — A man having a “mental health crisis” shot and killed one police officer, wounded a second and shot a third before being wounded in a shooting in a western Pennsylvania town Monday authorities said.
Two officers were dispatched shortly after noon to a domestic disturbance call in McKeesport, about 12 miles south of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County Police Superintendent Christopher Kearns said at a news conference.
Officers tried to talk to the man, but he walked away from the home and officers were warned by a family member that he might be armed, Kearns said. Officers found him nearby and he “all of a sudden he pulled out a gun and shot the two McKeesport officers,” Kearns said.
An officer was taken to a hospital in McKeesport, where he was pronounced dead. A statement from McKeesport Police Chief Adam Alfer identified him as 32-year-old Sean Sluganski, who had worked for the department full-time for two years.
The second officer, 35-year-old Charles Thomas Jr., was airlifted to a Pittsburgh-area trauma center. Thomas, who has been on the force for four years, was released Monday night and returned home recovering to his family, Alfer said.
Kearns said the suspect was shot as he turned a corner and fired at the third officer, who returned fire.
The suspect was later listed in stable condition at a Pittsburgh area trauma center.
The McKeesport Area School District said all schools and buildings were temporarily closed due to nearby police activity.
Police said charges were being prepared against the suspect, known to McKeesport police. «They’ve dealt with him before,» Kearns said.
The mayor’s office asked people to keep the department in mind and to respect the privacy of families «during this tragic and traumatic time.»
Fraternal Order of Police state lodge president Joseph Regan said the officers “left their homes knowing it was their duty to protect and serve McKeesport regardless of the outcome.
“Today, they made sacrifices that we hoped and prayed they never had to make. They are heroes,» Regan said.
About a month ago, a police chief was killed and two officers were injured in an Allegheny County district northeast of Pittsburgh. The suspect was later shot to death in Pittsburgh after crashing a stolen vehicle and exchanging gunfire with police, authorities said.