A Montgomery County man shot a police officer after attacking his girlfriend inside his apartment in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Friday afternoon, investigators said.
The ordeal began around 2:40 p.m. when Pottstown Police Corporal Anthony Fischer and Pottstown Police Officer John Schmalbach responded to a reported domestic disturbance at an apartment on the 200 block of Chestnut Street.
When they arrived, they found William Ciccoli Jr. and his girlfriend -- who both lived in the apartment – involved in a domestic dispute, investigators said. The two officers separated Ciccoli from his girlfriend and gave the woman domestic violence information, according to officials. Investigators said Ciccoli and his girlfriend then agreed to stay away from each other.
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"They just moved in about two months ago. I guess a boyfriend and girlfriend, but they just moved in," one witness, Mike Falco, told NBC10.
At that point, Officer Schmalbach intended to issue two citations to Ciccoli for harassment and criminal mischief.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org or texting LOVEIS to 22522.
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Later that afternoon, at 4:35 p.m., Corporal Fischer and Officer Schmalbach once again responded to the same apartment for another domestic disturbance, investigators said.
The two officers once again separated Ciccoli from his girlfriend, according to officials. The woman told police Ciccoli had grabbed her neck, making it difficult for her to breathe. Police said the woman had marks on her neck and swelling to her left cheek bone.
As Officer Schmalbach attempted to take Ciccoli into custody, Ciccoli allegedly charged at Corporal Fischer. Corporal Fischer can be heard on body camera video saying, “he’s trying to take my gun,” as he struggled with Ciccoli, investigators said.
The body cam then shows at least one of the officers using a taser on Ciccoli before a gunshot is heard. Corporal Fischer was then shot in the right hip area, investigators said. The body cam footage shows Ciccoli with both hands on his gun before the shot is fired, according to investigators.
Cellphone video obtained by NBC10 shows emergency crews carrying Corporal Fischer downstairs after he was shot. He was taken to Reading Hospital where he underwent surgery and is currently in stable condition.
Ciccoli was arrested and charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault and other related offenses for his attack on Corporal Fischer, officials said. He is also charged with strangulation, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person for attacking his girlfriend, according to investigators.
The cellphone video obtained by NBC10 shows Ciccoli being led away in handcuffs.
Ciccoli was taken to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility where he was arraigned Saturday morning. His bail review is scheduled for Nov. 18, 2024, while his preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 26, 2024.
Online court records listing legal representation who could speak on Ciccoli's behalf are not available.
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