New Details In Lower Burrell Police Shooting
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Tonight there are new details on the shootout that left a police officer dead along with the gunman.
The KD Investigators have uncovered information on how the fugitive apparently set up an ambush and why he may not have acted alone.
At the scene of the shooting Wednesday night, police said Officer Derek Kotecki was ambushed.
Tonight, sources close to the investigation say he never had a chance – that suspect Charles Post was literally "lying in wait" for the Lower Burrell officer.
Video taken from the scene shows the blown out back window of shooting suspect Charles Post's car.
Sources close to the investigation say Post shot through the back window of the car, striking Officer Kotecki three times.
Sources indicate there were two people in the Post car when they arrived at the Dairy Queen Wednesday evening – that the driver of the vehicle got out of the car.
Sources indicate Post laid down in the back seat – that it looks like he waited for police to arrive – that he shot Officer Kotecki through the back window of the vehicle with Kotecki about 10 feet away walking toward the vehicle at the time.
An autopsy report released today indicates Officer Kotecki was shot in the head, left arm and abdomen.
The coroner's report indicates Charles Post died of gunshots to the head, chest and abdomen.
However, sources indicate Post was shot twice by police in the chest and abdomen – that he shot himself in the head.
Ballistics tests will make the final determination but right now investigators believe the self-inflicted gunshot wound killed Post.
Post died behind the Dairy Queen restaurant where police investigators say he ran after shooting Officer Kotecki.
In a statement released by the Westmoreland County Coroner's office regarding the death of Charles Post the coroner says: "As of this time, it has not been officially determined which wounds were self-inflicted or inflicted by others."
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