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Off-Duty Clifton Cop In Shootout With Pa. Police, Authorities Say


Off-Duty Clifton Cop In Shootout With Pa. Police, Authorities Say

The shooter was identified as Richard Klementovich, 42, an officer from the Clifton Police Department. WPVI-TV in Pennsylvania reported that the house belongs to Klementovich's estranged wife.

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. — An off-duty Clifton police officer opened fire on officers responding to a domestic dispute at the home of his estranged wife Sunday, touching off an hours-long standoff that included volleys of gunfire, authorities in Pennsylvania said.

Authorities identified the shooter as Richard Klementovich, 42, who has been a police officer since 1993. State pension records show Klementovich is also a veteran.

Klementovich struck two police vehicles with gunfire, including an armored personnel carrier, authorities said. He was armed with long guns and 2,000 rounds of ammunition, police said.

Klementovich surrendered to police just before midnight Sunday, authorities said. WPVI-TV reported that the house belongs to Klementovich's estranged wife.

One police officer was injured when he was struck in the face with concrete after one of Klementovich's rounds struck a curb, Chief David Mettin of the Pennridge Regional Police Department said.

"We want to see this come to a safe conclusion," Mettin said. Police said they do not believe that anyone else is in the house with Klementovich.

Police first responded to the scene at 1:44 p.m. The first shots were fired at about 1:58 p.m, police said.

"They’re trained for this. They are the best. Hopefully everything is going to be ok," said Barbara Lyons, chairperson of the Doylestown Township Board of Supervisors.

The Star-Ledger reported that members of the Clifton police department were at the scene and worked with local authorities. Klementovich, a veteran of the first Gulf War, has been a Clifton Police Officer since 1998.

Many residents of the neighborhood remained secluded in their homes as the standoff continued down the street.

Around 2 p.m., John Marabella was working at replacing a door at his home on Radcliff Drive, when he heard a series of gunshots, one after the other.

Gunshots actually aren’t that unusual in their neighborhood, since they live not far from a rifle range operated by the Bucks County Fish & Game Association.

“At first I thought it was the gun club,” Marabella said. “But then something just told me that it wasn’t.”

“You don’t hear rapid fire like that,” his wife, Rosann