New Kensington Police Officer Slain; $40K Reward For Suspect Info

NEW KENSINGTON, PA — A New Kensington police officer conducting a traffic stop was shot and killed Friday night and a $30,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the suspect's arrest, authorities said.

The slain officer was identified by authorities as Brian Shaw, who had been with the department for less than a year. Shaw was shot around 8:07 p.m. near the 1200 block of Leishman Avenue, The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported.

According to the report in The Gazette, the shooting happened after the traffic stop conducted by Shaw turned into a foot pursuit and sometime during the chase, Shaw was struck. The Gazette reported that it is unclear whether Shaw returned fire.

Authorities from multiple agencies swarmed the area. An SUV that police were searching for was found abandoned not far from the shooting scene.

Pennsylvania State Police Troop A said a $5,000 reward was being offered for the identity and information that leads to the arrest of the suspect. On Saturday, police said the total reward money being offered was $40,000.

An autopsy is being conducted on Shaw and around 1:30 a funeral procession will transport the young officer to Rusiewicz Funeral Home in Lower Burrell.

"The New Kensington Police Department would like to thank everyone for their condolences in the passing of Officer Brian Shaw," the department wrote in a brief statement posted to Facebook.

Police also asked that any food donations be taken to 785 4th Avenue, New Kensington Fire Dept #1 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Authorities said they had received a number of phone calls with information and encouraged people to continue to call with information.

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