Police have charged a 31-year-old McKeesport man with shooting and killing one police officer and injuring another Monday.
The fallen officer was later identified by McKeesport Police Chief Adam Alfer as 32-year-old Sean Sluganski. 35-year-old Officer Charles Thomas Jr. was identified as the injured officer.
"This is a tragic loss for our department and our community," said Alfer. "We have lost a friend, a trusted colleague and an officer whose passion was providing service to the public. At this time, we ask that you keep all of our officers and their families in your hearts, particularly the families of Officer Sluganski and Officer Thomas."
Johnathan Jermia Morris is charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, assault of a law enforcement officer, and criminal attempt.
According to a criminal complaint, Morris' mother called 911 just after noon Monday reporting her son has PTSD and was being aggressive toward her.
Police scanner communications stated there were weapons inside the house, but they were secure.
When Sluganski and Thomas arrived moments later, Morris had already left the home in the 1400 block of Wilson St.
Investigators say Morris approached two witnesses on Grandview Ave. He allegedly told them police were trying to kill him and asked them to film him.
Those witnesses were allegedly filming as a black police car, driven by Thomas, stopped near Morris and Sluganski walked toward him.
At approximately 12:25 pm, Sluganski stated on his radio Morris was running and to "watch his right hand in pocket, appears real heavy."
According to a criminal complaint, the video shows Morris pull a gun and begin firing at the police car. He then allegedly begins shooting at Sluganski.
Thomas told dispatchers shots had been fired and he had been hit. According to a criminal complaint, Thomas fired back at Morris, hitting him in the leg.
Investigators say Morris ran to a nearby Uni-Mart parking lot and told two witnesses he had been shot and needed help. The two witnesses were attempting to place a tourniquet on Morris' leg, when a third McKeesport officer approached.
Morris allegedly pulled his gun again and began shooting at the third officer. The officer returned fire as Morris tried to roll across Patterson Ave. Witnesses told police they heard multiple gunshots, but could not tell who was firing.
Morris was taken into custody moments later.
When first responders arrived, they found Sluganski unresponsive and Thomas with gunshot wounds to the face and neck. Sluganski was pronounced dead at UPMC McKeesport. Thomas was flown to UPMC Mercy in critical condition. He was upgraded to stable condition and released from the hospital Monday. McKeesport Chief Alfer says Thomas is now recovering at home.
Sluganski was a full-time member of the department for two years. His body was accompanied from the hospital to the Medical Examiner's office by dozens of first responders Monday evening.
Thomas has been on the force for four years.
"All I can say is just please keep the family in your prayers, our police officers, and just pray for the whole city," said McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko. "It's a very trying time."
At least two McKeesport churches held prayer services Monday night.