NORRISTOWN, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — A 43-year-old man will spend more than two decades in prison for shooting a Pottstown police corporal in the leg during a struggle for the officer’s gun.
William Ciccoli Jr. was sentenced to 22 ½ to 45 years in state prison for shooting Pottstown Police Cpl. Anthony Fischer in the leg on Nov. 15, 2024. During Tuesday’s hearing, he maintained his innocence.
“Cpl. Fischer knows I didn’t grab his gun, hence why they didn’t test the gun for DNA,” said Ciccoli.
However, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said that’s “nonsense,” as prosecutors have video from officers’ body cameras.
“We all got to see exactly what he did. And we slowed it down — he went for the officer’s gun. They knew he was going for it and said it out loud. There was a struggle, and he pulled the trigger on the officer’s gun and shot him.
“This is a guy that’s just not taking accountability for his actions. We’re here because of his actions. No other reason.”
Police were called to Ciccoli’s Chestnut Street apartment that night for a domestic disturbance, claiming his girlfriend had hit him with a golf club. Authorities said the girlfriend gave a different account, saying Ciccoli dragged her through the apartment, broke her phone, and choked her.
As police tried to handcuff Ciccoli, they said he hit an officer. Then, while wrestling with Fischer, Ciccoli grabbed the gun in Fischer’s holster. The gun fired into Fischer’s leg, nicking his femoral artery.
Steele said quick action by other officers in the apartment saved Fischer’s life.
Fischer said he still has about 12 bullet fragments in his leg and lives with constant pain. He said he was forced to retire from a career he loved.
“He was involved in a lot of things for the community, and to have this happen to him in this way, and to cut his career short, is tragic,” Steele added. “But he’s alive, and he’s got a wonderful wife, beautiful kids, and he gets to be there for them.”
Ciccoli said he plans to appeal.