Montco Man Charged With Attempted Murder Of Two Police Officers

NORRISTOWN - A 62-year-old Upper Providence Township man was arrested today on attempted murder charges after firing shots at multiple police officers Wednesday morning, according to authorities.

David Naumenko, of the Mont Clare section of the township, fired shots at the officers who had been called to quell a disturbance at the Meadows condominium complex shortly after 3 a.m. Naumenko was experiencing a mental breakdown, police said.

After the shots were fired, a Limerick Township police officer arrived at a second-floor unit, and witnessed Naumenko reloading his weapon, police said.

The officer then fired a shot at Naumenko, hitting his right arm, police said.

Naumenko then fell to the ground, and was taken into custody.

Naumenko was taken to Montgomery County Prison in lieu of $2 million bail after being arraigned today before District Judge Judge Deborah Lukens on two counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault and related charges.

District Attorney Kevin R. Steele thanked the police officers for reacting promptly and courageously to a dangerous situation.

“Police officers are called to help day in and day out and never know what situation they will encounter upon arrival,” Steele said.

“This defendant began firing at the first arriving officer almost immediately and then continued firing multiple rounds, endangering the lives of not only the officers but many others who live in the area.”

Steele said that the officers were not hurt and were able to go home to their families, and the defendant is also alive, suffering only an arm injury.

According to police reports:

Upper Providence Police responded to a call at 3 a.m. from a family member of the suspect about a psychiatric emergency.

The caller said Naumenko was having a mental breakdown, “has guns” and was leaving the residence, but was “harmless.”

When Upper Providence police arrived, they found Naumenko and his wife, Katherine, in a truck.

One of the officers exited his marked police vehicle with its lights activated and approached on foot, calling to Naumenko, “What’s going on?”

Naumenko then fired multiple shots.

Naumenko fired multiple shots in quick succession. One grazed the back of the police officer’s uniform and struck his radio cord, disabling his police radio.

The suspect then drove his truck down Meadowview Lane, where he began shooting at additional police officers, who were on the way to the scene.

An Upper Providence police officer called for backup and told Katharine Naumenko to come to him, securing her safety.

Naumenko continued shooting at the officers at this location, but they maintained cover and did not return fire.

As the shots were being fired, a Limerick Township corporal arrived.

The officer was able to access a second-story apartment and had opened a window to visually locate Naumenko.

As the suspect reloaded his weapon, the Limerick officer shot Naumenko in the upper right arm, causing him to fall to the ground.

Members of the Montgomery County S.W.A.T. Western Region located Naumenko lying in a grassy area.

He was treated by emergency responders and driven to Paoli Hospital for treatment.

Police confiscated multiple firearms and boxes of ammunition from the interior and the bed of Naumenko’s truck as well as at his residence.

Police said some of the firearms were legally registered to Naumenko; others came back as “no record found.” Police said Naumenko does not have a permit to carry firearms.