Shooting Leaves Cop In Coma; Possible Suspect In Custody

[greg72982]

Clairton is not a nice place. I don't think anyone is saying "I can't believe this would happen here."

*EDIT: This shooting was on the two year anniversary, to the day, of when three Pittsburgh officers were shot and killed

Shooting Leaves Cop In Coma; Possible Suspect In Custody
James Kuzak Investigation Leads From Clairton To North Versailles

While a Clairton police officer remained in critical condition with gunshot wounds and a severed spine, Allegheny County police surrounded a home in North Versailles on Tuesday morning and took someone into custody for questioning.

Channel 4 Action News' Bob Mayo reported that a police roadblock was set up on James Street, just behind Route 30, and a man was ordered to come out of a house.

"As I got to the corner, I heard (police say) on the intercom, 'Come on out the front door with your hands up,'" neighbor Dave Simpson said.

A black Chevrolet Monte Carlo was towed from the scene to county police headquarters, where the unidentified suspect was being questioned about the shooting of Officer James Kuzak.

Police have not made any public statements yet, but a news conference is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

County emergency dispatchers said a robbery and home invasion was reported at a home in the 800 block of Miller Avenue in Clairton at about 10:45 p.m. Monday.

According to police, as Clairton officers arrived at the scene, two people came out of the home and started shooting. Kuzak, 39, was struck in the chest.

"He was wearing a bulletproof vest and the bullet apparently entered his torso by his arm," county police Lt. Andrew Schurman said.

Channel 4 Action News' Janelle Hall cited police sources who said that Kuzak was shot three times and that doctors fear he may end up being paralyzed.

Kuzak was in a medically-induced coma after being rushed to UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh for surgery, Hall reported.

Police have not made any arrests or identified any suspects in Kuzak's shooting.

In addition to his Clairton duties, Kuzak is a detective in the Washington County District Attorney's Office.

"Please pray for Officer Kuzak and his family. Jimmy is one of the best in law enforcement and is great friend. Our love and thoughts to the Kuzak family," District Attorney Steve Toprani posted on his Facebook page.

Video at link: Shooting Leaves Cop In Coma; Possible Suspect In Custody - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh

[sparrow803]

Clairton is not a nice place. I don't think anyone is saying "I can't believe this would happen here."

*EDIT: This shooting was on the two year anniversary, to the day, of when three Pittsburgh officers were shot and killed




Video at link: Shooting Leaves Cop In Coma; Possible Suspect In Custody - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh

What the he!! is wrong with people - they're not people - they're animals. I honestly don't know how LEO's keep from just takin em out. I commend you all for keeping your sanity. I would lose it. I still can't get over what happened in Iowa yesterday. It just does not happen here. I feel so bad for the families and fellow officers there just are no words to make it any easier.

I hope this officer finds the strength to make it, and his family .....and I hope justice will be served on those that committed this crime.

[greg72982]

Unfortunately this thing is literally happening everywhere now....

Updated article:

While a Clairton police officer remained in critical condition with gunshot wounds and a severed spine, Allegheny County police surrounded a home in North Versailles on Tuesday morning and took a young man into custody for questioning.

Channel 4 Action News' Bob Mayo reported that a police roadblock was set up on James Street, just behind Route 30, and a man was ordered to come out of a house.

"As I got to the corner, I heard (police say) on the intercom, 'Come on out the front door with your hands up,'" neighbor Dave Simpson said.

A black Chevrolet Monte Carlo was towed from the scene to county police headquarters, where the yet-to-be-identified suspect was being questioned about the shooting of Officer James Kuzak.

Myles J. Hutchinson, 21, of McKeesport, is charged with felony counts of aggravated assault, assault of a law enforcement officer, burglary and robbery, according to the criminal docket for a case that was filed Tuesday with District Judge Armand Martin.

The charges are apparently connected to Kuzak's shooting, although the docket does not specifically say that, and police have not publicly said that Hutchinson is their suspect.

Police have scheduled a news conference for 3:30 p.m. Refresh this page for updates and watch our live reports tonight on WTAE Channel 4 Action News at 5 p.m.

County emergency dispatchers said a robbery and home invasion was reported at a home in the 800 block of Miller Avenue in Clairton at about 10:45 p.m. Monday.

According to police, as Clairton officers arrived at the scene, two people came out of the home and started shooting. Kuzak, 39, was struck in the chest.

"He was wearing a bulletproof vest and the bullet apparently entered his torso by his arm," county police Lt. Andrew Schurman said.

Channel 4 Action News' Janelle Hall cited police sources who said that Kuzak was shot three times and that doctors fear he may end up being paralyzed.

Kuzak was sedated for much of Tuesday morning after being rushed to UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh for surgery.

Police have not made any arrests or identified any suspects in Kuzak's shooting.

In addition to his Clairton duties, Kuzak is a detective in the Washington County District Attorney's Office.

"Please pray for Officer Kuzak and his family. Jimmy is one of the best in law enforcement and is great friend. Our love and thoughts to the Kuzak family," District Attorney Steve Toprani posted on his Facebook page.

As news of Kuzak's situation continued to spread, cars from several local police departments were seen parked outside UPMC Mercy on Tuesday afternoon.

"We do come together when an officer goes down in the line of duty, whether they die or whether they're injured. We're always there to support each other," Dormont police Patrolman Bill Tomosky said.

The criminal docket: http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketS...=CR-0000127-11

[SANE-A30]

OUCH! the part that said the bullet went through his arm and hit is torso I think made me weak in the knees....Omg the pain... it is indeed a scary world...I feel bad for LEO's I would never do that job not even for a million dollar salary..it takes a brave soul, I hope that he recovers...I once seen a video of a local officer that was shot I think seven times one of the shots was I believe in the head he got up on his feet after the shooter and then killed him and then he collapsed, they did a bio on him it was an AMAZING story... it will make you cry...officer Jared Reston Jacksonville sheriffs office that was the officer if you youtube it , it will bring up his interview... it made me cry like a baby when I watched it.. just his bravery is very touching...

[MikeG]

Unfortunately this thing is literally happening everywhere now....

Updated article:



The criminal docket: http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketS...=CR-0000127-11

They should have used the Iowa SWAT team.