Western PA Mourns Fallen McKeesport Police Officer

McKEESPORT, PA — This city near Pittsburgh is reeling after a shooting Monday that left a police officer dead, and another officer and a suspect wounded.

The officer killed was identified by the McKeesport Police Department as Sean Sluganski, 32.

The officer wounded was Charles Thomas, 35.

"This is a tragic loss for our department and our community," McKeesport Chief Adam Alfer said in a statement.

"We have lost a friend, a trusted colleague and an officer whose passion was providing service
to the public. At this time, we ask that you keep all of our officers and their families in your hearts, particularly the families of officer Sluganski and officer Thomas."

The suspect in the shooting, Johnathan Morris, 31, was wounded in the gunfire exchange. He last was reported in stable condition.

Morris has been charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, assault of a law enforcement officer and first-degree criminal attempted murder.

According to Allegheny County police, the officers were dispatched to a domestic-related disturbance call shortly after noon in the 1400 block of Wilson Street.

Morris, who had been acting aggressively towards family members, was encountered by the officers in the 1300 block of Grandview Avenue where the shooting occurred.

Sluganski's body was transported Monday from UPMC McKeesport to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's office.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Gov. Josh Shapiro has ordered all flags to fly at half-staff until the date of Sluganski's interment.

Sluganski's death comes barely a month after Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire was fatally shot while on duty.