CRIME Penn Hills(PA) police officer shot, killed tonight - SUSPECT ARRESTED - post #23

I

imaginative

keep your eye on the ball
Penn Hills police officer shot, killed
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A Penn Hills police officer called to a domestic disturbance was shot and killed tonight, authorities said.

The shooting occurred at Johnston and Glendale roads at 8:40 p.m. Neighbors said they heard 10 gunshots during the incident.

Police were searching for a green Jeep Cherokee, license plate HFC-6470, which was driven away from the scene of the shooting. A vehicle matching that description was spotted in Brentwood, and police were searching the area for the Jeep.

Police said they were seeking a person of interest in the incident. He was identified as Kijafi Fuqua. Dispatchers said he is 27 years old, 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs 185 pounds. They said he is carrying an assault rifle and considered dangerous.

At 10 p.m. a vehicle from the medical examiner's forensic photography unit arrived at the Penn Hills shooting site.

Nancy Salera, who lives on Johnston Road about four houses down from the scene of the shooting, said that she heard gunfire from what sounded like a machine gun.

"I was absolutely horrified," she said.

About seven minutes after the gunfire ended, police swarmed the area, she said.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09340/1018977-100.stm?cmpid=latest.xml#ixzz0YyWKpiCd
 
WriterMom

WriterMom

Veteran Member
Oh goodness, that's right in my neck of the woods. Quite a few of my students live in Penn Hills. It's not such a nice place to be. It's not "inner city", but the demographics of the area indicate that it is headed in that direction. It's a shame, because it used to be a really nice community, and some parts of it still are, particularly on the outskirts.

Prayers for the officer's family. What a terrible thing to happen at any time, but especially during Christmas.

Writermom

Edited to add: I looked up the streets on mapquest, and this definitely is not an area you want to walk alone in at night. There have been shootings out that way in the past.
 
WriterMom

WriterMom

Veteran Member
Suspect is now in custody, thank God.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/21882776/detail.html

Suspect In Penn Hills Police Officer's Slaying Turns Self In
Posted: 8:47 pm EST December 6, 2009
Updated: 12:08 am EST December 7, 2009

Comment On This Story ››

PENN HILLS, Pa. -- Channel 11 News reporter Jodine Costanzo has confirmed that a man accused of shooting and killing a police officer in Penn Hills Sunday night using an assault-style rifle has surrendered to police.

According to police, the shooting happened shortly before 8:30 p.m. after the officer responded to a domestic dispute along Johnston Road.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SLIDESHOW: Police Officer Shot, Killed In Penn Hills

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The suspect, Kijafi Fuqua, 27, turned himself in at the Clairton Police Department, Costanzo said.



The officer, whose name has not been released, was taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police sources told Channel 11 News that a civilian was also wounded, but there are no other details at this point.

Neighbors said they heard shots fired in the area and said the suspect drove away in a dark colored Jeep Cherokee with license plate HCF-6470. Shortly after Fuqua turned himself in, police pulled over a woman driving the Jeep along Route 837 near St. Clair Street.

Allegheny County homicide detectives are working with the Penn Hills Police Department to investigate.

Channel 11 News looked into the suspect’s past and found that he's been in trouble with the law before.

In addition to drug charges, court records show Fuqua was charged with making terroristic threats and disorderly conduct in October 2007. He eventually pleaded guilty in that case.

Less than a week after that incident, he was charged with making terroristic threats and simple assault.


Earlier this year, three Pittsburgh police officers were shot and killed while responding to a domestic dispute call in Stanton Heights.

Officers Eric Kelly, Paul Sciullo II and Stephen Mayhle were killed during the April 4 standoff.

Richard Poplawski, 23, is charged in the killings
 
G

Garryowen

Deceased
Terrible news. It sounds like the officer was set up for the terrorist act. Around here the police always send more than one unit to a domestic disturbance call.

It sure looks like an orchestrated attack on the police.

Prayers for this policeman's suffering family.

Sadly,

Garryowen
 
WriterMom

WriterMom

Veteran Member
John "Frenchy" Fuqua was a famous Steeler - I believe he was involved in the "Immaculate Reception" as the intended receiver of the ball. Maybe it's not such an uncommon last name.

Writermom
 
W

whit45

Inactive
I think they are saying now that the guy in the car turned himself him, but they don't think he's the shooter.
 
MaureenO

MaureenO

Another Infidel
Garryowen said:
Terrible news. It sounds like the officer was set up for the terrorist act. Around here the police always send more than one unit to a domestic disturbance call.

It sure looks like an orchestrated attack on the police.

Prayers for this policeman's suffering family.

Sadly,

Garryowen
Click to expand...

Trust me, this isn't the first (or the last) ambush of a cop. God rest his soul and comfort his loved ones. Each day I realise how fortunate I was.

Maureen :rs::rs::rs:
 
S

sherbar92

Generally warm and fuzzy
Figures he would wind up in Clairton....
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I was thinking. Although Penn Hills and Clairton are not exactly next to each other, both are pretty rough areas. Clairton, BTW, is predominantly black these days and has a lot of crime.

And, this disturbs me greatly for another reason...remember during the G20 some Muzzies were taking pictures of the bridge in Elizabeth? THAT is literally right down the street from where the Jeep in this incident was picked up in Clairton. I'm beginning to suspect there's a Muzzie sleeper cell in the area.
 
L

Lone Wolf

Lives on TB
You LEos, be very careful out there.

Prayers said

That said. Remember these police officers. They are your police officers. Take care of them as best you can. Pray for them. They don't know you. To them you are a potential threat.

God love them, the devil doesn't.

lw
 
WriterMom

WriterMom

Veteran Member
Perp still on the loose... Fuqua was released, likely not the shooter

http://www.wpxi.com/news/21882776/detail.html

PENN HILLS, Pa. -- Authorities have released the identity of a police officer shot and killed while responding to a call Sunday night in Penn Hills.


Officer Michael Crawshaw, who had been on Penn Hills’ police force for two years, was shot and killed shortly before 8:30 p.m. after responding to a call at a house along Johnston Road.

Penn Hills police Chief Howard Burton said Crawshaw parked his police cruiser two to three houses away from the scene before he was shot. Burton said he isn’t sure whether Crawshaw was responding to shots fired or a domestic disturbance call.

Burton said the officer was waiting for backup in the police car when he was shot.

A man who police initially suspected of shooting and killing Crawshaw using an assault rifle was questioned and released.

Originally, police identified Kijafi Fuqua, 27, as a suspect in the case, Channel 11 News reporter Jodine Costanzo said. However, Fuqua told Channel 11 News that his friends called him after hearing his name on television, so he drove to the Clairton Police Department to clear his name.

Police questioned and released Fuqua but did not elaborate any further on the case.

“They slandered my character,” Fuqua told Channel 11 News as he left the Clairton Police Department. “They put AKs to our heads. Put my girlfriend on the ground with no shoes on. Nothing to do with this. I was at home with my kids. I don’t know nothing about Penn Hills.”


Crawshaw was taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Allegheny County Police Superintendent Charles Moffatt said one person inside the residence was also killed. The medical examiner identified that person as 40-year-old Danyal Morton.

Neighbors said they heard shots fired in the area and said the suspect drove away in a dark colored Jeep Cherokee.

At first, Channel 11 News was told police began searching for a vehicle with license plate HFC-6470. Later, Channel 11 confirmed the plate number in question was HCF-6470. It is unclear at this time whether the license plate confusion led to Fuqua being named a suspect.

Shortly after Fuqua went to the Clairton Police Department, police pulled over a woman driving the Jeep along Route 837 near St. Clair Street. The woman, police said, dropped the man off at the station.

Allegheny County homicide detectives are working with the Penn Hills Police Department to investigate.


Earlier this year, three Pittsburgh police officers were shot and killed while responding to a domestic dispute call in Stanton Heights.

Officers Eric Kelly, Paul Sciullo II and Stephen Mayhle were killed during the April 4 standoff.

Richard Poplawski, 23, is charged in the killings.
 
S

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
Burton said the officer was waiting for backup in the police car when he was shot.
Click to expand...

DAMN... this was another AMBUSH!

Maureen... I sure hate to bring up bad memories for you (I'm sure they're all too ready on their own), but holy cow!! Isn't this becoming more than weird? I know, too many cops have died from bad guy attacks over the years, but I don't remember reading/hearing about so many deaths from what appears to be deliberate ambush type attacks- not a perp "fighting back", or trying to get away, and taking a few shots at their pursuer!

I sure hope this information is being stressed at every precinct house and Sheriff's office in the country.

And guys- those who aren't LEOs, you may want to be a little more circumspect in any interactions you have with them... there's going to be some touchy cops out there, and IMHO, they'll have reason.

Summerthyme
 
Freeholder

Freeholder

This too shall pass.
Fuqua is a common name, apparently -- our manufactured home is a Fuqua brand. Big company out here.

Kathleen
 
Dennis Olson

Dennis Olson

Chief Curmudgeon
_______________
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,579602,00.html?test=latestnews

Police Officer Shot Dead Outside Pa. Home
Monday, December 07, 2009

PENN HILLS, Pa. — A suburban Pittsburgh police officer awaiting backup was fatally shot in his parked patrol car by a man who emerged from a home moments after killing someone over a $500 drug debt, police said.

Penn Hills police Officer Michael Crawshaw, 32, was the first to respond to a 911 call made around 8:20 p.m. Sunday. Crawshaw was advised to wait in his patrol car because of past problems reported at the home and because dispatchers heard shots over the phone, Penn Hills Chief Howard Burton said.

Ronald Robinson, 31, walked out of the home and opened fire as he approached Crawshaw's car, Allegheny County Police Superintendent Charles Moffatt said Monday. Robinson used "some kind of assault rifle" — possibly an AK-47 — judging by shell casings found at the scene, Moffatt said.

"The gunman exits, sees the officer there, so he takes it upon himself to open fire upon the officer as he sits inside his car," Moffatt said.

The officer's weapon was removed from his holster, showing that he might have been able to draw his .45-caliber Glock pistol and fire a shot, Moffatt said. Police were still investigating.

Robinson fired at least nine shots at the officer, Moffatt said. Three or four hit Crawshaw, including a single fatal shot to the head, said Dr. Karl Williams, county medical examiner. An autopsy is planned.

Police were able to locate Robinson, of Pittsburgh, because he was on parole and wearing an electronic ankle bracelet, Moffatt said. He has an arrest record for drug and firearms charges and was paroled after in August 2007 after serving time for carrying an unlicensed firearm.

Robinson was charged with burglary and two counts of homicide after he went to police for questioning about 4 a.m. Monday, Moffatt said. It was not clear whether he had an attorney, and court documents were not available because Robinson hadn't been arraigned.

Crawshaw was taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly before 9 p.m.

The other victim, Danyal Morton, 40, who lived at the house, had been the one to call 911 and was found dead in a second-floor bathroom, Moffatt said.

Morton owed Robinson $500 for either cocaine or heroin from a drug deal Saturday, Moffatt said. Both shootings occurred within four minutes, judging by 911 records and police logs.

The slain officer apparently heard gunfire as he sat in his car awaiting backup officers and was shot moments later, Moffatt said.

"He didn't go rushing in by himself; he wasn't (trying to be) a hero," Burton said.

Morton has a criminal record dating to 1991, including two prison terms for burglary, records show.

Another man who sometimes lived in the home was also present during the shooting, but police could not explain why he was not shot, Moffatt said. He made a second call to 911, police said.

Neighbors reported hearing about 10 gunshots at the home in Penn Hills, a middle-class community about 10 miles east of Pittsburgh.

No crime scene tape was visible outside the two-story brick home, and no one answered the door or the phone. Schoolchildren walked to bus stops in the neighborhood.

Robert Cephas, 57, who lives next door, said that he wasn't home at the time, but that his wife and grandkids were.

"They were hitting the floor, my grandkids did," he said.

Crawshaw was a three-year member of the force and had worked at the University of Pittsburgh police department, Burton said.

"Officer Crawshaw was a fine officer, and Penn Hills was lucky to have him patrolling our community," Mayor Anthony DeLuca Jr. said.

Gov. Ed Rendell ordered state flags to fly at half staff in honor of Crawshaw, whose brother, Matthew Crawshaw, is also a police officer in suburban Pittsburgh.

The slain officer is the fourth to be killed on duty in Allegheny County this year. Pittsburgh officers Eric Kelly, Stephen Mayhle and Paul Sciullo were fatally shot in a gun battle while responding to a call at a home in April.

The last time a Penn Hills officer was killed in the line of duty was March 25, 1972, when Sgt. William Schrott and Officer Bartley Connolly Jr. were shot while trying to catch an armed robber at a shopping center.
 
johnswahoo

johnswahoo

Veteran Member
sherbar92 said:
That's exactly what I was thinking. Although Penn Hills and Clairton are not exactly next to each other, both are pretty rough areas. Clairton, BTW, is predominantly black these days and has a lot of crime.

And, this disturbs me greatly for another reason...remember during the G20 some Muzzies were taking pictures of the bridge in Elizabeth? THAT is literally right down the street from where the Jeep in this incident was picked up in Clairton. I'm beginning to suspect there's a Muzzie sleeper cell in the area.
Click to expand...

No just stating that he would go to a black community for protection...I would have been real surprised that he was arrested in Wexford or Sewickley....just doesn't happen....not trying to sterotype but typically these events are surrounded by black community involvement...
 
MaureenO

MaureenO

Another Infidel
There is no upside to this incident, however, the motive appears to be the mindset of "in for a penny, in for a pound."

He allegedly murdered victim 1 in the residence and observed the patrol unit outside and opened fire on the officer, knowing he would be taken into custody.

God rest the officer and all who love him.

Maureen :rs::rs::rs:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top