Pennsylvania state trooper shot in Aliquippa; suspect was shooter in high-profile 2005 killing
A Pennsylvania state trooper was shot early Friday during an altercation at a Beaver County convenience store, officials said.
Trooper Jonnie Schooley, a patrolman out of the Beaver barracks, was shot in the leg after he and Trooper Shawn Palmer noticed a disturbance outside the Franklin Mini Mart in Aliquippa, officials said.
A man, later identified as Damian Ray Bradford, allegedly brandished a pistol at several patrons in the store and then confronted another man outside the store.
The troopers saw the disturbance as they were driving past on patrol in a marked state police cruiser.
According to the criminal complaint against Bradford, the troopers stopped and walked up to the convenience store, at which point Bradford went back inside and stashed his pistol in his waistband.
The troopers confronted Bradford inside, according to the complaint, and a “violent” struggle ensued. Bradford got a hold of his pistol and fired, hitting Schooley in the leg.
— Trooper Black (@PSPTroopDPIO) July 29, 2022
Authorities said Bradford continued to fight even after he’d been disarmed, attempting to take Palmer’s gun and Taser. Patrons helped Palmer get Bradford under control and tend to Schooley, who ultimately was flown to Pittsburgh for treatment.
Schooley lost a significant amount of blood, officials said, but his injuries were not life-threatening.
“We’re extremely fortunate this morning that our trooper is OK, and the prospects for a full recovery look good at this time,” said Troop D commanding officer Capt. William Maitland.
The complaint noted that Bradford, 41, is prohibited from carrying firearms after a 2006 conviction on federal stalking charges.
Tribune-Review news partner WPXI-TV reported that Bradford pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2007 in connection with the 2005 killing of a Mercer County urologist in Ohio.
Dr. Gulam Moonda was gunned down as he drove to Toledo with his wife, Donna, and mother-in-law. Bradford testified at the time that he shot the doctor in what was meant to look like a random highway robbery.
He said he agreed to be the triggerman after Donna Moonda, with whom he was involved in a relationship, promised him a share of her husband’s estate.
Attorneys said during trial that she stood to gain aroud $2.5 million from her husband’s death.
Bradford ultimately pleaded guilty to interstate stalking and using a firearm that resulted in death and was sentenced to 17 years in prison.
Federal court records indicate Bradford was released from federal prison in Ohio in early 2021, at which point his probation was transfered to the Western District in Pennsylvania.
Tweet
BREAKING THIS MORNING: Pennsylvania state trooper shot inside store in Beaver County. Suspect in custody. @PeteDeLucaTV is in Aliquippa trying to get more info & I’ll have updates from the Breaking News Desk. Watch @WPXI NOW-7 AM.https://t.co/uTzNCjdilC pic.twitter.com/8iQHuDuDB8
— Alyssa Raymond (@AlyssaRaymond) July 29, 2022
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