In Pottstown, Pennsylvania, a domestic disturbance led to an officer-involved shooting last Friday. Officers Corporal Anthony Fischer and John Schmalbach were called to an apartment on the 200 block of Chestnut Street around 2:40 p.m. for a domestic violence report. They separated William Ciccoli Jr., 42, from his girlfriend and planned to issue citations for harassment and criminal mischief, according to NBC Philadelphia.
Two hours later, the officers were called back to the same apartment. The girlfriend reported that Ciccoli had grabbed her neck, making it hard to breathe, and officers saw visible bruises and swelling. As Officer Schmalbach attempted to arrest Ciccoli, he allegedly charged at Corporal Fischer, leading to a struggle in which Fischer was shot in the hip.
According to FOX 29, body camera footage revealed a struggle where Corporal Fischer is heard saying, "He’s trying to get my gun!" just before a gunshot. Fischer's partner used a taser to try to subdue Ciccoli, but during the scuffle, at least one shot was fired by a hand seen grabbing Fischer's gun.
After the gunshot, emergency crews were seen carrying Corporal Fischer downstairs in cellphone video. A resident told 6abc, Fischer was taken to Reading Hospital, where he underwent surgery and is in stable condition. Local resident Chasta Lopez commented, "It's just a smaller town so when things like this happen, it just raises a flag. It's close-knit."
William Ciccoli Jr. is facing charges including attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, and other related offenses for the altercation with Corporal Fischer. He has also been charged with strangulation, simple assault, and reckless endangerment for attacking his girlfriend. Ciccoli was arraigned and taken to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility, with a bail review set for tomorrow and a preliminary hearing scheduled for Tuesday next week.
