What's happening in the world these days

3 officers slain responding to call

(CNN) -- Three Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, police officers became the first department fatalities since 1995 Saturday morning while responding to a domestic dispute call, Police Chief Nathan Harper said.


Law enforcement from several jurisdictions respond to a shooting standoff at Pittsburgh home Saturday.

"We have never had to lose three officers in the line of duty at one time at one call," Harper said.

Suspect Richard Poplawski surrendered around 11 a.m. outside the Stanton Heights home he shares with his mother after a standoff that lasted nearly four hours and left two more officers injured.

Wearing a bulletproof vest and armed with an AK-47, a long rifle and a pistol, Poplawski fired about 100 rounds during the standoff, Harper said.

Poplawski was taken into custody after surrendering to law enforcement. He is expected to face charges of homicide, aggravated assault and other related offenses, Harper said.

Officer Paul Sciullo III, a 14-year veteran of the department, was the first to approach the home after responding to the scene around 7:05 a.m. He was shot in the head as he entered the doorway.

When Officer Stephen Mayhle tried to help his fellow officer, he too was shot in the head, Harper said.


Officer Eric Kelly, who rushed to the scene on his way home after finishing his shift, was fatally shot as he attempted to assist his fallen colleagues, Harper said.

The shootings triggered a standoff between Poplawski, who was shooting from his bedroom window, and law enforcement agencies from several jurisdictions, Harper said.

Poplawski opened fire at an Army SWAT vehicle that arrived around 8:30 a.m., preventing them and medics from reaching the wounded policemen.


Officer Timothy McManaway also was shot in the hand, the chief said. Another officer, Brian Jones, broke his leg while trying to get over a fence while securing the rear of the house, he said.

Some neighbors were evacuated during the standoff. Neighbors reported that the family had caused trouble before and Harper said police had responded to calls from the home two or three times.



These stories are happening too often. Something needs to be done

Re: What's happening in the world these days

Re: What's happening in the world these days

This is truly horrible.

Re: What's happening in the world these days

SO terrible

there was a story not too long ago here in Charlotte, again same situation, 2 officers went to an apartment complex for a Domestic Disturbance call and they were ambushed by some a@@hole totally unrealed to the call they were there for. They were shot in the back of the head and did not even see it coming....

one officer died immediately, the other lived long enough to crawl over to his fellow brother to try to help him and then he died too

so senseles

Message edited 4/4/2009 10:00:01 PM.

Re: What's happening in the world these days

Re: What's happening in the world these days

Horrific and Inconceivable all at the same time.

Re: What's happening in the world these days

Re: What's happening in the world these days

Oh, how awful. I went to law school in Pittsburgh (Duquesne U.) and it's such a wonderful city. This is a tragedy for any city, obviously. I was very homesick for NY when I was there but now I go through phases where I really miss Pittsburgh. I have been thinking about my time in Pittsburgh a lot lately. The press has been interviewing the neighbors and I hear that distinct Western Pa. accent for the first time in ages but I wish that this was not the reason.

Re: What's happening in the world these days

I saw it in on the news last night

Re: What's happening in the world these days

From what I heard from a fellow Officer, is that this was a "Fake" domestic call... More or less, it was a trap...

It's sad we have such sick people living amongst us...

Re: What's happening in the world these days