Three Pittsburgh, PA Police Officers Shot in Domestic Dispute

Despite these killings of police officers, and those yesterday committed at a Binghamton immigration center by Jiverly Voong, there will be no changes in gun control in the U.S. You can bet on it.

Officers were called to the Stanton Heights neighborhood at 7:30 AM, and were immediately set up upon by the suspect, Richard Poplawski, said to be in his early-20s. According to CBS radio and the New York Times he told a friend that he was going to die today.

Edward Perkovic, 22, who said he was the Richard Poplawski’s best friend, said he got a call at work from him in which he said:

“Eddie, I am going to die today. ... Tell your family I love them, and I love you.”

This sort of activity is called "suicide by cop."

Stanton Heights is known as a "quiet neighborhood," yet shots rang out for over three hours, until Richard Poplawski surrendered at 11 AM.

Four officers were immediately cut down upon their arrival, and a fifth was wounded later. Three of them died. Richard Poplawski was reportedly using an assault rifle, sales of which have been much criticized in the U.S., unless you talk to the NRA or its members.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Poplawski owned several guns, including an AK-47 assault rifle, a .357 Magnum revolver, a .380-caliber handgun and a .45-caliber handgun.

Although Richard Poplawski was reportedly wearing a bullet-proof vest, he apparently suffered at least two gunshot wounds. Neighbor Joe DiMarco spoke to him on the phone this morning, and was told he'd been shot in the chest and leg.

Another friend, Aaron Vire told the Post-Gazette that Richard Poplawski bought his guns "because he felt the quality of life was being diminished."

"He said he'll be ready if there's ever an invasion of the United States and that he had stockpiled foods and guns for that eventuality."