Armed suspect shot by Waynesburg police officer
A Waynesburg Borough Police officer shot a man in the ankle after the suspect allegedly pointed a gun at him early Wednesday, according to state police.
Julius Maurice Hurt, 31, of Waynesburg was transported to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia for treatment. Trooper Forrest Allison said Hurt is expected to undergo surgery for his injury.
State police in Waynesburg are investigating the shooting. Waynesburg Borough Police referred all questions to state police.
A complaint filed against Hurt indicated that borough police were dispatched early Wednesday for reports of an armed, unruly man walking behind the courthouse at about 1:30 a.m. Officer Charles Sochor found Hurt walking on Morris Street toward High Street, and shouted that he had located the suspect, according to court papers.
Hurt then began to run, ignoring the officer’s commands to stop, state police said.
Sochor chased the man on foot, and Hurt allegedly pulled a gun from his waistband and pointed it at Sochor, ignoring commands to drop the gun and get on the ground, according to state police.
“Officer Sochor quickly identified the threat and shot Hurt as he was running,” Trooper Joseph Popielarcheck wrote in the affidavit of probable cause filed in the case.
The bullet hit Hurt in the foot/ankle area, police said, causing him to fall. Hurt allegedly continued to resist arrest, but was taken into custody, according to police.
Officers provided first aid, and Hurt was transported to the hospital.
Investigators found two pistols in Hurt’s possession, they said. Both were loaded and one was reported stolen from from Wetzel County, West Virginia. Police said Hurt has prior felony convictions and is not permitted to possess a weapon.
Hurt is charged with criminal attempt to commit murder of the first degree, aggravated assault, receiving stolen property, recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest, and two counts each of prohibited possession of a firearm and firearms not to be carried without a license.
Charges were filed Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge D. Glenn Bates.
Hurt was arrested Jan. 27, 2010 and later convicted of manufacture or delivery of narcotic drug and malicious wounding/malicious assault, both felonies. He was also arrested March 22, 2004 and later convicted of domestic battery, according to state police.
More information will be released as it becomes available.