Pennsylvania State Trooper Shot Inside Beaver County Convenience Store; suspected shooter arrested
ALIQUIPPA, Pa. – A Pennsylvania state trooper was shot while responding to a disturbance at a convenience store in Beaver County early Friday.
Court documents said Troopers Jonnie Schooley and Shawn Palmer were patrolling the neighborhood when they noticed a disturbance call at the Franklin Mini-Mart on Franklin Avenue in Aliquippa shortly after midnight.
Upon entering the store, officers encountered a man with a gun. State police allege Damian Bradford, 41, of Pittsburgh, shot and struck Schooley in the leg. Trooper Palmer, with the help of the store’s customers, was able to arrest Bradford.
The trooper was treated at the scene and later taken to a Pittsburgh hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The other officer was taken to a local hospital to be evaluated for minor injuries.
Police said Bradford tried to pull Palmer’s Taser and gun from his waistband as the officer tried to arrest him.
Bradford also suffered minor injuries, state police said, and was taken to a hospital under police supervision.
“I want to thank all the patrons who were there to help my two soldiers at the scene who helped provide immediate first aid to my wounded soldier and also helped my other soldier take the suspect into custody,” he said. said Beaver Station Commander Sgt. Jesse Burrello.
Aliquippa Police Chief Jon Lane confirmed to Channel 11 that Bradford is the same man who pleaded guilty to killing Dr. Gulam Moonda on the Ohio Turnpike in 2005 while involved in an affair with the Moonda’s wife. He accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to 17 years in prison. The chief said he was released from prison in 2021.
Schooley’s teammates tell us he’s expected to make a full recovery.
Bradford faces multiple charges, including criminal homicide and several counts of aggravated assault.
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#BREAKING UPDATE: The Aliquippa Police Chief confirms that Bradford is the same man who admitted to killing Dr. Bradford. Gulam Moonda on the Ohio Turnpike on May 13, 2005.
He was sentenced to 17 years in prison in that case. @WPXI https://t.co/zDEH7A3cS6
— Pete DeLuca WPXI (@PeteDeLucaTV) July 29, 2022
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