St Clair Township Police Department Press Release Re: Police Fatal Shooting of Joseph Como.
Shortly after 2PM, St. Clair Township Police were called about a possibly suicidal man. Officers found the man walking down the street and attempted to talk with him. Almost immediately, the man opened fire. Officers returned fire, hitting the suspect. In the shootout, one St. Clair Township Police Officer was shot in the head.
Additionally, a four-year-old child was struck by a bullet while at a nearby private business.
The St. Clair Township officer was responsive after he was shot but is being flown to a Pittsburgh area hospital in critical condition. The child was also flown to an unknown hospital and their condition is currently unknown.
The officer administered first aid to the suspect prior to EMS arrival, and his condition is also unknown.
“We’re trying to gather information as fast as we can so we can update the community,” St. Clair Township Police Chief Brian McKenzie said. “Right now, we need the community to pray for our officer and the child who were shot.”
St. Clair Township Police Chief Brian McKenzie has contacted the Ohio Bureau of Investigation (BCI) and asked them to conduct an independent investigation. Columbiana County Sheriff Brian McLaughlin and his deputies are currently handling all patrol duties within St. Clair Township while they deal with this tragic situation.
Chief McKenzie has also made counselors available to his officers to help them through this terrible situation.
More information will be provided via release or on the Department’s Facebook page as it becomes available.