richard poplawski

7:00 a.m. EDT (11:00 UTC) Attack type Shootout Weapon(s) AK-47 rifle, a .22 long rifle and a pistol Deaths 3 (3 officers) Injured 3 (2 officers and perpetrator) Perpetrator Richard Poplawski

The 2009 Pittsburgh Police Murders took place on Saturday, April 4, 2009, in the Stanton Heights neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. At approximately 7:00 a.m. EDT, 23-year-old Richard Poplawski opened fire on two Pittsburgh Police officers responding to a 911 call from Poplawski's mother. Three police officers were ultimately confirmed dead, and another two were seriously injured.[1]

Poplawski was reportedly upset at losing his job at a local glass factory and was fearful that the Obama administration was poised to ban guns. According to Chief of Police Nathan Harper, Poplawski was armed with an semi-automatic AK-47 style assault rifle and two other guns, and protected by a bullet proof vest, he had been lying in wait for the officers.[1] According to police and witnesses, he held police at bay for four hours as the fallen officers were left bleeding nearby, their colleagues unable to reach them. More than 100 rounds were fired by the SWAT teams and Poplawski. Contents [hide] 1 The perpetrator 2 The shootout 3 The victims 4 References 5 External links //

The perpetrator

Richard Andrew Poplawski is a 23-year-old Pittsburgh resident who lived with his mother and grandmother in the Stanton Heights neighborhood. Poplawski had previously enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, but he was discharged from boot camp after throwing a food tray at a drill instructor.[1] On September 14, 2005, Poplawski allegedly assaulted his then-girlfriend outside his home. A month later, Poplawski allegedly violated an order of protection by showing up at the woman's place of work.[2] Poplawski had recently lost his job at a glass factory, and was reportedly quite upset over the job loss. Edward Perkovic, a friend of Poplawski, said the gunman feared "the Obama gun ban that's on the way" and "didn't like our rights being infringed upon". Another longtime friend, Aaron Vire, said that Poplawski feared President Obama was going to take away his rights.[3] Poplawski reportedly was a member of Stormfront and a frequent poster to the site.[4]

The shootout

At 7:00 a.m. EDT, Officers Paul Sciullo and Stephen Mayhle of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police responded to a 911 call from Poplawski's mother over a domestic disturbance. When the officers arrived at the scene, Poplawski was wearing a bulletproof vest and "lying in wait".[1] As the two officers arrived at the scene, Officer Sciullo was immediately shot in the head. Almost immediately thereafter, Officer Mayhle was also shot in the head. Officer Eric Kelly, on his way home after completing the overnight