Officer Shot Dead During Foot Chase In Pennsylvania, Gunman At Large
NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. (CBSNewYork/CBS Pittsburgh/AP) — An intense search is underway in western Pennsylvania for a suspect in the fatal shooting of a police officer.
The shooting happened shortly after 8 p.m. Friday in New Kensington, about 18 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Authorities say Officer Brian Shaw was shot after a traffic stop led to him chasing someone on foot.
Police officers from neighboring towns were scouring the area for the suspect early Saturday. SWAT teams and police dogs assisted.
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The Allegheny County Police Department put out a statement on the death of Officer Shaw.
"The Allegheny County Police Department is saddened to learn of the tragic death of Officer Brian Shaw from the City of New Kensington Police Department. Please join the men and women of our department as we offer our condolences and prayers to the family and co-workers of Officer Shaw," the statement read. "Officer Brian Shaw, you were taken from us too soon. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Your life mattered and you will be missed."
Shaw had served as a part-time officer in three other towns before joining the New Kensington police force full time in June.
Nicole Drum, whose family lives directly across from the shooting scene, told The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that she was on a couch in her living room when she heard six or seven shots, including one that hit her house. She looked outside and saw Shaw fall. She was the first person to reach him.
"I was trying to talk to him," she said Saturday. "He wasn't responding."
Brad Larocca, who lives next door to the Drums, also heard the shots, which he said came rapidly. He said Shaw tried to sit up before collapsing.
"I don't know if he was trying to talk," said Laroccoa, who also tried to help the officer. "He was gasping for air."
Police have recovered a brown, older model Jeep Grand Cherokee wanted in connection with the shooting.
Authorities were offering a $40,000 reward for information on the shooting. The FBI has contributed $25,000 to the reward, while the U.S. Marshals Service offered $5,000 and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will contribute up to $10,000.
A wake for Shaw will be held Monday and Tuesday, followed by a funeral service Wednesday morning.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
