CANONSBURG, Pa. – One of two western Pennsylvania police officers “ambushed” and shot while responding to a domestic situation has died. The suspect has also died.
According to police, the incident happened today around 3:30 a.m. in the 100 block of Woodcrest Drive.
Police were initially called to the area for a domestic dispute. As the two Canonsburg police officers approached the home, the suspect, Michael Cwiklinski, opened fire. Trooper Melinda Bonderanka said, “Upon their arrival, the two officers were ambushed. They were shot with an unknown type of firearm.” Police confirmed around 9 a.m. Cwiklinski was also dead. Sources told the station he had turned the gun on himself.
A woman inside the home was later found dead. She was reportedly six months pregnant and had a protection from abuse order against Cwiklinski.
The injured officer was shot in the stomach. He is currently in intensive care.
A firefighter said, “When it first started, one was bleeding badly. The shooter had everyone pinned down when they were trying to get him. I don’t know where he was shot. I had my porch light on and he came and told us to turn the light off and stay put. Then, five minutes later, they came to the front door and asked us if we would leave ASAP.”
Both officers were taken to Canonsburg Hospital, but one was then flown to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. Officer Scott Leslie Bashioum, 52, was pronounced dead at Canonsburg Hospital shortly after 4 a.m.
Washington County Coroner, Tim Warco, said, “It is my sad duty to announce that one officer is deceased and the other officer has been flown to a Pittsburgh hospital. Obviously, it’s very sketchy at this point. It’s still an active scene and search of the shooter.”
The Canon-McMillan School District cancelled classes Thursday because of the heavy police presence, and the nearby Chartiers-Houston School District was operating on a two-hour delay.
UPDATE – 2nd officer is out of surgery and is in a stable condition.
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