A Greensburg man, Troy Michael Konieczny, 44, is facing multiple charges after allegations of harassing high school students at a bus stop with a fire poker adorned with knives. According to TribLIVE, the incident occurred at North Hamilton Avenue and West Otterman Street, where Greensburg Salem High School students were waiting for their bus early Thursday morning.
Detective Sergeant Justin Scalzo stated, as per CBS News Pittsburgh, "He started yelling racial slurs at them and he was just acting irrational." Running around the streets, wielding the improvised weapon, the man seemed to be in a state of inebriation. Witnesses said Konieczny also engaged in destructive behavior by taking objects from his home, breaking them, and throwing them around near the students.
Local authorities were quickly on the scene after receiving calls from concerned parents. Konieczny was found by police making incoherent statements and seemed to be under the influence of alcohol. According to the TribLIVE, officers discovered the fire poker on the porch of Konieczny's residence, with broken glass scattered on the steps and sidewalk.
Following the incident, Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Bissell of the Greensburg Salem School District lauded the students, their parents, and the Greensburg police for their actions and has communicated that the district is examining ways to bolster bus stop safety. Per WTAE, one parent stayed at the stop until the children were safely aboard the bus, heightening vigilance following the alarming encounter.
Konieczny was charged with reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, harassment, and public drunkenness. He is held at the Westmoreland County Prison on a $15,000 bail. As reported by TribLIVE, no attorney is listed for Konieczny in online court records, and his preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 27th.
