Pottstown Man Charged With Attempted Murder Of Police Officer

POTTSTOWN, PA — Details have emerged in the shooting of a police officer Montgomery County during a domestic assault investigation, authorities said.

The incident began in Pottstown on Nov. 15 at around 2:40 p.m., on the 200 block of Chestnut Street.

Pottstown police Corporal Anthony Fischer and Officer John Schmalbach responded to the call, which involved William Ciccoli Jr. and his girlfriend, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said.

Police separated the two and provided each with domestic violence information, and authorities planned on issuing Ciccoli two citations.

Hours later, Fischer and Schmalbach were called to the same apartment for another disturbance. The woman said that Ciccoli had grabbed her by the neck and choked her, officials said.

When Schmalbach tried to take Ciccoli into custody, Ciccoli charged at Fischer and grappled with him for his gun, according to the DA's office. That's when Fischer's weapon went off and he was struck in the right hip.

Ciccoli was subdued and arrested, and Fischer received first aid on the scene before being taken to Reading Hospital Trauma Center for surgery. He is now in stable condition.

Ciccoli has been charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, strangulation, simple assault, reckless endangerment, and more.

Ciccoli was booked at Montgomery County Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 26.