Suspect In Lower Burrell Police Shooting Had Criminal History

LOWER BURRELL, Pa.,None — The suspect in a deadly police shooting in Lower Burrell had a lengthy criminal history, Channel 11 News learned Thursday.

Police said fugitive Charlie Post, 33, shot and killed Officer Derek Kotecki, 40, the city's K-9 dog handler, in the parking lot of the Dairy Queen on Greensburg Road at around 7 p.m. Wednesday.

After shooting Kotecki, Post ran toward a wooded area behind the restaurant as other officers opened fire. The Westmoreland County Coroner's office said Post died due to gunshot wounds to the head, chest and abdomen. On Friday, the coroner said it has not yet been determined which wounds were self-inflicted or inflicted by others.

Post was wanted on charges including attempted homicide and aggravated assault for allegedly firing several shots at his boss, Terry Janosky, 44, a New Kensington building contractor, on Oct. 2.

Post's criminal history dates back to the late 90's.

In 2002 he was arrested for aggravated assault. In 2005, for fleeing and eluding police, and earlier this year for drug possession.

Within the last week, New Kensington Police Chief Ron Zellers told Channel 11 that Post delivered a threat over the phone to one of his officers.

"A warning was given to law enforcement that he had 14 rounds for us and one was for himself," Zellers said.

Zellers said the information was given to law enforcement agencies throughout the area, but Post was never found.

Investigators are trying to determine how Post, considering his criminal history, was able to purchase the gun. Police believe it was the same weapon Post fired during the incident with his boss.

Friends and neighbors of the Post family said the parents are well respected members of the community and said they don't know what went wrong with Post.

"Mother and father are great. They do all the garage doors for the families around town. Just wonderful people. It's a shame what happened to both families. God bless both families," said neighbor Kelli Fortuna.

Channel 11 went to talk to Post's family, but the sign on the driveway leading to his house reads, "Keep Out."

A sign posted at the family's garage door company reads, "Closed for several days."

Previous Stories: October 14, 2011: Boot Drive Planned For Family Of Fallen Lower Burrell Officer October 14, 2011: Fugitive's Attack On Lower Burrell Officer Described As 'Ambush'

• Email Newsletter: Get The Latest News Sent To Your Email! • Mobile: Get WPXI Headlines On Your Phone, iPhone, More • RSS: Add Us To Your Page!

WPXI