MCKEESPORT, Pa. – A shooting in McKeesport resulted in the deaths of one cop and the injury of another. When they came upon the suspect on Grandview Avenue, the police were responding to a domestic complaint on Wilson Avenue. According to Allegheny County police, the suspect produced a weapon and started shooting.
Officer Charles Thomas is now in stable condition after being critically injured and rushed to the hospital along with Officer Sean Sluganski. In a gunfight with a third cop, the suspect, Johnathan Morris, also sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital. He is now being accused.
Community shows support for McKeesport police
In support of the police, Minerva Bakery dyed everything blue and black on Tuesday. Erica Ashcroft explained, “They’re here early in the morning to make sure we’re getting into the building safely. She posted thank-you notes on the bakery’s nearly 100-year-old front door.
Because we are all female and arriving by ourselves, she remarked, “We would like to offer our support back to them. They do the best that they can for us. On animal calls, the women at Sable Kennels across the street collaborate well with McKeesport police.
“They always have our backs and we try to always have their backs and it’s just an absolute tragedy,” Jill Erny said.
“Sean seemed like a really good guy. He was always very supportive when we were out there, seemed always to be happy and fun-loving but got the job done,” said Dawn Weichler.
Weichler said she had just left a call with officer Charles Thomas Jr. just an hour before the shooting.
A teddy bear is leaning up against the fence back at the scene of the incident. First responder Eva Parker honored the deceased by bringing flowers from Bethel Park.
“to demonstrate to McKeesport that I am here for them. They can get in touch with us if they need anything, and we’ll let them know that Bethel Park and the entire county of Allegheny are behind them “She spoke.
Mayor calls shooting ‘absolute nightmare’
A neighborhood is still in mourning over the killing of two McKeesport police officers. Sean Sluganski, 32, died in the incident. Charles Thomas Jr., 35, is getting well at home.
To give officers time to grieve for their fallen colleague, police departments from all around the region, including the county sheriff’s office and county police, are staffing patrols in McKeesport. Although there is no set schedule for when they will patrol, it is anticipated that they will do so at least until the funeral.
Michael Cherepko, the mayor of McKeesport, is still mourning Sluganksi’s passing a day later. “It’s an absolute nightmare,” the mayor told reporters.
He spoke with officer Charles Thomas, who was also injured during the shooting. The four-year officer of the department is at home recovering and doing well.
“But as with all of our officers, you can imagine him, who was there, shot as well with officer Sluganksi,” Mayor Cherepko said. Court papers said the situation started with a 911 call for a domestic situation on Wilson Steet.
According to reports, the mother of 31-year-old Johnathan Morris called the police to report that her PTSD-suffering son was acting violently toward her. Jackson Township Police Chief Terry Seilhamer described domestic incidents as “certainly one of the most dangerous — I wouldn’t say the most dangerous — but it’s definitely one of the most dangerous calls we get.”
According to him, domestic calls can be unpredictable and provide a variety of challenges for responding officers. “That fluid scenario can alter very rapidly between the time of dispatch and the time you reach the scene,” Seilhamer added.
READ MORE: Lori Knaack identified as Reinbeck woman killed in Iowa UTV accident
According to court documents, Morris shot Sluganski and Thomas after being apprehended by police on Grandview Avenue. Morris was ultimately shot by a third officer and is still being treated for his wounds at a hospital. When he is released, according to Allegheny County police, he will be transferred to the county jail.
“Sadly, something like this might have been prevented. PTSD and other mental health conditions must be addressed “said Robin Lacey, a neighbor. Despite Lacey being at work, her doorbell camera captured the shoutout.
“I saw something I didn’t need to see, and I wish I hadn’t seen. Nobody needs to see it,” Lacey said.
She gave her video to the police for their investigation.
At this point, Morris faces several charges including aggravated assault, assault of an officer and criminal homicide.
