State police pledge transparency in probe of Canton shooting death
A family photo of Anthony Gallo
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Joseph Ruggery during a press conference about the shooting of Anthony Edward Gallo at the barracks in Eighty Four on Monday, October 2, 2017.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Joseph Ruggery during a press conference about the shooting of Anthony Edward Gallo at the barracks in Eighty Four on Monday, October 2, 2017.
The commanding officer of state police Troop B has promised transparency in the investigation into a trooper’s fatal shooting Sunday of a Canton Township man who police say threatened to kill a person and refused to drop the knife he was wielding.
Anthony Edward Gallo, 34, of 17 Mark Ave., was shot multiple times during the incident just after 4 p.m. Sunday at a mobile home across the street from his at 20 Mark Ave.
Capt. Joseph Ruggery, commander of Troop B in Washington, said during a briefing Monday on the police-involved shooting that Gallo forced his way into the home at 20 Mark Ave. and threatened to kill a person inside the residence, whom police did not identify. That person was able to escape.
After police entered the home, Gallo was ordered to come out and drop the knife. Ruggery said at least one witness heard Gallo threaten the troopers.
Ruggery said Gallo was told repeatedly to drop the knife but retreated farther into the mobile home, into a back bedroom. He was again told to drop the knife, but instead advanced toward the troopers and was shot multiple times by the trooper closest to him, Ruggery said. The trooper was not identified.
The state police major case team was activated. As part of protocol, the criminal investigation unit at Troop B’s Pittsburgh station is handling the investigation.
“We want the investigation to be impartial,” Ruggery said. “A thorough and unbiased investigation will be done.”
Ruggery said once the scene was secured, Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone was contacted. Vittone and the chief county detective went to the shooting scene.
When state police have completed their investigation, Ruggery said the findings will be turned over to the district attorney’s office, which will determine whether the shooting was justified. There also will be a full investigation by the state police Department of Internal Affairs.
Before the start of the briefing, Trooper Robert Broadwater announced that no questions would be taken from the media.
“It is an active investigation that we don’t want to compromise,” Broadwater said.
Ruggery said police do not enjoy taking someone’s life.
“At times it is necessary,” he said, adding it is done for the protection of the officers and others. “Thankfully, neither the trooper nor anyone else was injured.”
In accordance with state police policy, the names of the troopers involved in the Canton incident will not be released while the investigation is underway, Ruggery said. He said when the names are released, it will be done by Cpl. Adam Reed, the state police public information officer at the Harrisburg headquarters. The two troopers involved have been restricted to administrative duties as the investigation continues, Ruggery said
Washington County Coroner Tim Warco said the cause and manner of Gallo’s death are pending the results of the investigation. Warco said Monday that he planned to hold an inquest into the shooting, but that it was too early in the investigation to schedule a date.
Ruggery thanked the victims and neighbors in Mark Trailer Park for their cooperation Sunday. He also thanked neighboring municipal police officers for their help.