Man accused of attempting to take officer's gun at hospital accused of earlier police assault in South Greensburg

A 30-year-old burglary suspect, who injured his foot during a failed escape attempt as police arrested him Thursday in South Greensburg, is accused of attempting to grab an officer’s gun at a Greensburg hospital as he was discharged, according to court documents.

Cory J. Lonsinger, who lists a Johnstown address, told borough patrolman Todd Brant “I have it … I’m going to shoot you” as the pair struggled over the firearm in the emergency room at Excela Health Westmoreland hospital about 6:35 p.m., according court papers filed by Greensburg Detective Charles Irvin.

Brant told Irvin he was in the process of unlocking Lonsinger’s handcuffs attached to the bed rail in the facility to transport him to the county jail after receiving clearance from medical staff when the struggle ensued.

Irvin was among Greensburg officers who responded to a call for assistance and found Lonsinger “actively fighting” to grab Brant’s handgun from the holster, yelling, “give me your handgun,” police said.

Multiple officers, including Southwest Greensburg officer Steve Zyvith, were able to subdue and handcuff Lonsinger, according to court documents.

The incident forced the hospital to temporarily activate an “Active Shooter Code,” Excela spokesman Tom Chakurda said. The code was canceled after Lonsinger was again subdued.

Lonsinger was arraigned on charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, disarming a law enforcement officer, escape, resisting arrest and making terroristic threats in connection with the hospital incident.

Earlier Friday, he was arraigned on eight criminal counts — including felony charges of aggravated assault, burglary and escape stemming from multiple burglary incidents and his arrest in South Greensburg. He was ordered to the county jail after failing to post $175,000 bond.

According to Brant, Lonsinger initially was arrested about 3:20 p.m. Thursday after police received a complaint of a man burglarizing a Poplar Street residence. Witnesses said he entered the home by forcing open a front porch window.

After police Chief Bryan Painter, Zyvith and Brant arrived, Zyvith watched the back of the residence while Painter and Brant approached the front door, according to court records. Brant said Painter had Lonsinger come to the door and open it.

When officers attempted to take him into custody, Lonsinger “struck Chief Painter in the face and jumped over the porch railing,” Brant wrote in court documents.

Police unsuccessfully attempted to use a Taser to subdue Lonsinger, Brant said.

According to court documents, Lonsinger ran toward Elm Street with all three policemen in pursuit.

Officers watched Lonsinger break into another residence on the 300 block of Elm Street through a kitchen window, Brant said. He was taken into custody inside.

During questioning, police learned Lonsinger’s identity and that he was wanted for violating terms of his July 2021 parole from state prison. Lonsinger was paroled early after being imprisoned for robbing a Latrobe convenience store in 2019, according to court dockets.

Brant and Zyvith accompanied Lonsinger to the hospital where he was taken for treatment of a cut to his foot.

Attempts to reach Painter for further comment were unsuccessful.