Munhall officer shoots man in custody after allegedly fighting with officers inside police station
MUNHALL, Pa. (KDKA) — A Munhall officer shot a man in custody after police said he fought with officers inside the borough police station.
According to Allegheny County police, a 38-year-old man was arrested on domestic violence charges late Sunday night. Police said he was transported to the Munhall Borough police station for processing. While he was in the holding cell, police said two officers noticed the man was trying to cover the security camera.
Police said the man refused the officers' orders and began to fight with them. Tasers were deployed on the man, but police said he still continued fighting with officers. County police said one officer fired multiple shots and hit the man in the torso. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
The officers were not injured.
Community members say they have a lot of questions.
"There's no reason they should've shot at somebody in their custody in a jail cell. He obviously had no weapons," said James Laux, who lives near the police station.
"They had more than one officer to hold him, they tried tasing him? Tase him again. Or better yet: go out the cell, leave him in the cell, locked in there," Laux added.
"Somebody is in the cell, yes for a reason, they are entitled, yes, still to their fair day in court and should not be on a stretcher to have that day," said David Ruschak, who also lives nearby.
Right now, it's unclear if the officers involved are on leave or still on the job. Allegheny County police are investigating.
KDKA-TV reached out to the Munhall mayor, who had no comment. KDKA-TV also reached back to the police chief but didn't hear back by airtime.
