CANONSBURG, Pa., Nov. 10 (UPI) — The suspect accused of shooting two police officers — killing one and injuring another — has been found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound within the Canonsburg, Pa., home he was hiding in, police said.
Michael Cwiklinski has been identified as the suspect. Police said he fired a shotgun at two officers who were responding to a domestic dispute call after they got out of their police vehicle at about 3:30 a.m. Thursday.
“Upon their arrival, the two officers were ambushed. They were shot with an unknown type of firearm,” Canonsburg trooper Melinda Bonderanka said.
Canonsburg Police Department officer Scott Bashioum has been identified as the deceased officer. Cwiklinski is also accused of killing his six-month pregnant wife.
The officers were hospitalized but Bashioum, 52, died from the injuries he sustained — pronounced dead shortly after 4 a.m.
“It is my sad duty to announce that one officer is deceased and the other officer has been flown to a Pittsburgh hospital,” Washington County Coroner Tim Warco said. “Obviously, it’s very sketchy at this point it’s still an active scene and search of the shooter.”
The other officer not yet identified was shot in the stomach but is not believed to be in a life-threatening situation.
The Canon-McMillan School District was closed Thursday due to the shooting.
Washington County District Court David Mark told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette he knew the Bashioum and his family.
“He is a great guy, top to bottom, one of the best people I know inside and out,” Mark said. “I can’t imagine what the family is going through.”
A resident who said he lives two doors down from where the shooting occurred said he heard the gunshots, adding that the couple who live in the home have a history of domestic problems.
“That’s what woke me up. Then I thought I heard someone say ‘My partner’s down’,” the witness said. “She has had a [protection from abuse order] against him … there have been back and forth disputes going on.”
