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