Pittsburgh Police Officers Killed; Suspect In Custody Shooting Started As Standoff In Stanton Heights Posted: 9:50 am EDT April 4, 2009 Updated: 1:17 pm EDT April 4, 2009 PITTSBURGH -- Channel 11 News has learned that three police officers are dead after a standoff in the Stanton Heights section of Pittsburgh.
Police said the suspect, Richard Poplawski, is now in custody.
The incident began at about 7 a.m. Saturday morning when police responded to a domestic dispute along Fairfield Street.
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Channel 11 News reporter Rick Earle has confirmed in addition to the 3 dead, 2 other officers were injured.
Sources tell Earle one of the injured officers was shot in the hand. The other broke his leg jumping over a fence.
Police said more than 70 shots were fired.
When police arrived on the scene, Poplawski was shooting from a window. Police returned shots.
Sources tell Earle one of the officers who was killed lives in the Stanton Heights neighborhood. He was off duty at the time, but came to the house after hearing shots.
That officer was a 13-year-veteran of the Pittsburgh police force.
Earle reported the other two officers who died joined the force in 2007.
The suspect was using 2 weapons, a long-arm rifle and an AK-47. Police sources said Poplawski was wearing a bullet proof vest.
Channel 11 News has learned Poplawski was training to become a U.S. Marine at one point, but sources said he was kicked out of boot camp.
He was also kicked out of North Catholic High School in Pittsburgh.
Police said he is 23 years old. Police sources said he came home drunk last night and got in a fight with his mother.
Negotiators were able to get Poplawski to surrender.
He was taken to UPMC Presbyterian with injuries.
No word yet on the conditions of the injured officers.
A police briefing is scheduled for 3 p.m.
Stayed tuned to wpxi.com and Channel 11 News for updates.
Poster Comment:
White perp alert. Hide your guns.