Family Dispute over Urinating Dog Results in Three Officers’ Deaths

By Sarah Harper

Published on April 06, 2009

Richard Poplawski, 22, son of Margaret Poplawski, shot and killed three police officers Saturday at the Poplawski's Pittsburgh residence. The officers were responding to Margaret's 911 call, which was triggered by an argument between she and Richard over the family dog's urinating in the house.

The officers who died in the resulting standoff were Stephen Mayhle, Paul Sciullo III, and Eric Kelly. When Margaret let in Mayhle and Sciullo (the first to arrive), she heard gunshots and turned to see her son holding an AK-47. Richard had shot and killed Mayhle and Sciullo. Then, when Officer Kelly arrived moments later, Richard shot him outside the residence. (Kelly died of his injuries in the hospital.)

Poplawski, shooting from a bedroom window, then fired at additional rescue units. He wounded two other officers. According to the complaint, Richard had been discharged from the Marine Corps a few years ago for assaulting a drill sergeant during basic training. Since his discharge, Richard, reportedly distrustful of police, had been stockpiling weapons. According to Pittsburgh Police Chief, police had responded to calls from the Poplawski home two or three times prior.

The officer's deaths were the first police department fatalities since 1995.

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