Monongahela police officer involved in South Park Township shooting

A Monongahela police officer shot and injured a South Park Township man early Saturday after a car chase that began in Washington County became a physical fight in Allegheny County, authorities said.

Allegheny County police are investigating. The incident began about 2:50 a.m. with a traffic stop in Monongahela, according to Allegheny County Police Inspector Andrew Schurman.

The driver of the car, identified as Joshua Burton, initially pulled over in a parking lot but then took off, Schurman said. Monongahela police gave chase but called off the pursuit once they lost sight of the car.

Before the officers could turn around, they came upon Burton’s car spun-out in the road.

They attempted to block him in with patrol cars, Schurman said, but Burton again took off.

Officers again pursued Burton, who crossed over into Allegheny County into South Park Township minutes later and crashed into two parked cars and a home on Edgewood Street, Schurman said.

Burton ran from the car, and a Monongahela officer chased after him, taking him to the ground, Schurman said.

Burton allegedly began fighting with the officer, who used a Taser to no avail. Burton began to fight with the officer again, at which point the officer drew his gun and shot Burton once in the torso.

Police have not identified the Monongahela officer.

Burton, 29, was arrested and taken to a hospital, where he remains in stable condition, Schurman said Saturday afternoon.

He will be charged with aggravated assault on a police officer and resisting arrest.

The officer was treated for bruises, cuts and scrapes and released.

County police are investigating the shooting, after which the District Attorney’s Office will review the findings.