A chaotic scene unfolded at The Reserve at Millcreek apartment complex Sunday when multiple calls were made to police about a man smashing car windows with a hammer. Among the vehicles damaged was one belonging to resident Robert Sandstrom. Police arrived on the scene and attempted to de-escalate the situation, but the suspect refused to comply.  "He was making all these threats," Sandstrom recalled. "The police were saying, 'Drop the hammer, drop the hammer,' and stuff like that, but he wasn’t."
 
According to Pennsylvania State Police information officer Trooper Todd Bingman, the suspect was not only smashing car windows but also threatening to attack a woman at the scene.
 
The situation escalated, leading to an officer-involved shooting. Witnesses watched as the suspect, identified as Patrick Kanonczyk, 36, a resident of the apartment complex, was fatally shot.  "Just hard to watch," Sandstrom said. "And then when you’re watching someone get shot and killed, that’s, you know, not easy to watch."
 

Millcreek Police Chief Carter Mook explained that two officers used force during the incident—one deploying a taser and the other using a firearm. Both officers have since been placed on paid administrative leave as the Pennsylvania State Police conduct an investigation into the incident and the use of force.

"We are following the District Attorney’s established protocol for an officer-involved shooting investigation," Chief Mook stated. "Under that protocol, the Pennsylvania State Police are assigned with the in-depth investigation of what took place so that there’s an unbiased look and the facts can be fully discovered."

Meantime, Trooper Bingman is urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has video footage or pictures to come forward and call the State Police at 814-898-1641. "If anyone recorded any of this incident, it would be a tremendous help to get the story straight, to make sure all the facts come out, and everything’s reported correctly," he said.

For residents of the apartment complex, the incident has been unsettling. Sandstrom reflected on the impact of such a violent event happening so close to home. "It just means that we all have to be vigilant and be real careful because you never know," he said.

An autopsy was performed Monday on the body of the victim.  Findings from the Erie County Coroner's office have not been released yet.  When state police complete their investigation, their findings will be turned over to the office of Erie County District Attorney Beth Hirz.