PO Sean Sluganski
Officer: McKeesport Police Department, Police Officer Sean L. Sluganski
Date: 2/6/2023 Location: McKeesport, PA FACTORS (1,2,4,8,9,13,15,18,19)
Perpetrator(s) Involved: Johnathan Jermia Morris
Criminal Activity History/Involved: Morris had no prior charges but on January 13th he called a bank and threatened to go on a “killing spree” and he is believed to have opened fire inside a convenience store on February 5th. / Morris was involved in a domestic disturbance while “having a PTSD episode,” and likely was illegally possessing a gun given his mental illness.
Mental Illness: Yes, Morris is a military veteran who takes medication for PTSD.
Substance Abuse History/Involved: Unknown. / None stated.
Race/Sex/Age: Black/Male/31
What prompted the initial contact with the killer? At around 12:11 p.m. on February 6, 2023, McKeesport Police Officers Sean Sluganski and Chuck Thomas responded to a 911 call from a mother reporting her son, Johnathan Morris was “being aggressive toward her and having a PTSD episode.” PO Sluganski arrived at the house first and was informed Morris had left on foot and was possibly armed. Within minutes of searching for Morris, PO Sluganski broadcast on the radio that Morris was running and warned, “‘Watch his right hand in pocket, appears real heavy.”
Actions taken by subject toward police: According to eyewitness accounts, as the two officers tracked down Morris, he pulled out a gun and opened fire first on PO Thomas in his patrol car and then turned and fatally shot PO Sloganski who was nearby on foot.
Reactions by the police: Though shot in the face, neck and hand, PO Thomas returned fire at Morris striking him in the leg. Morris ran off and when he was receiving medical attention from concerned citizens, two other officers arrived, exchanged fire and took Morris into custody after his gun ran out of bullets.
How murdered? PO Sluganski was fatally shot after tracking down and approaching a mentally ill man involved in a domestic disturbance.
What could have been done differently for the officer to still be alive? Since the officers were warned Morris could be armed and PO Sluganski noticed it appeared Morris had a gun in his right pocket, PO Sluganski should have used proper cover, had his weapon aimed at Morris, and ordered him to get on the ground with his arms spread eagle.
Would the officer have been justified to use deadly force before being murdered? Yes, since Morris was believed to be armed, PO Sluganksi could have justifiably shot Morris when he made a furtive movement with his hand from the right pocket. Given the current anti-police atmosphere and fact Morris is black, PO Sluganksi was probably hesitant to do so.
Outcome for the cop-killer: After running out of ammunition and being shot, Morris was taken into custody, given medical care and is facing numerous charges including, “criminal homicide, homicide of a law enforcement officer, attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer” and weapon possession.
