State Police Continue Investigation Into Kennedy Twp. Police-Involved Shooting
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- State police have identified the man accused of ramming a state police cruiser during an undercover narcotics operation that lead to a police-involved shooting in Kennedy Township.
The shooting happened Tuesday afternoon in a parking lot at the Kenmawr Plaza.
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According to state police, a multi-agency task force set up the undercover operation, the purpose of which was to "disrupt the delivery of a large amount of heroin."
The agencies involved included the FBI, Pennsylvania State Police, Allegheny County Police, Allegheny County Housing Authority, Stowe and Kennedy Township police.
"The purpose of the operation was to intercept a delivery of 10 bricks of heroin, which is approximately 500 stamp bags or individual doses of the drug," said Capt. Joseph Ruggery, the commanding officer with State Police Troop B.
According to investigators, the driver was set up to take place in the parking lot of the vacant Shop 'n Save store.
Police say the suspect, 27-year-old Chase Kenney of Pittsburgh, pulled up alone just after 2 p.m. in a red Ford Escape.
Law enforcement converged on his vehicle, yelling commands to surrender. Police say officers approached the front of the vehicle on foot while a state police vehicle pulled up behind.
Police say Kenney then put the vehicle in reverse and rammed the cruiser, carrying two troopers, twice. Then, pulled forward, accelerating towards the officers who were on foot.
"At that time, three officers total, two members of the Pennsylvania State Police and one officer from the Stowe Township Police Department that were in the path of Mr. Kenney's vehicle discharged their firearms at Mr. Kenney in an attempt to stop his actions," said Capt. Ruggery.
Police say multiple rounds hit the passenger side of the vehicle, and Kenney was struck twice in the forearm. He tried to drive away again, but officials say he eventually stopped, got out of his vehicle and surrendered to police.
Kenny was taken to Allegheny General Hospital where he is in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries. He also hurt his head in the collision.
UPDATE: Suspect in Kennedy Twp. officer-involved shooting is 27-year-old Chase Kenney. He's currently at AGH in stable condition. @KDKA
— Amy Wadas (@AmyWadas) May 8, 2019
No bystanders were hurt, but three state troopers were evaluated at Canonsburg Hospital. One had hearing issues from the gunfire, another suffered a minor injure when the cruiser was rammed and the third was exposed to his suspect's blood while giving him medical treatment.
None of the officers' names are being released.
"The vast majority of operations such as this end peacefully with the suspect surrendering; however, as with any law enforcement encounter, the suspect's actions always have the potential to quickly turn a simple arrest scenario into a life or death situation," Capt. Ruggery said.
The officers who fired their weapons are on paid administrative leave during the investigation.
Stay with KDKA for the latest on this developing story.
