5M News

November 29, 2009

Standoff ends when trooper shoots Pittston man

Ralph C. Galicki refused to drop his gun, follow commands during nearly five-hour confrontation, police say.

CONYNGHAM TWP. – An accused gunman was shot by a state police trooper after a standoff that lasted for nearly five hours Friday.

State police at Shickshinny said 37-year-old Ralph C. Galicki of Pittston refused to drop his firearm and failed to follow numerous commands at St. Mary’s picnic grounds near Mocanaqua.

A trooper found Galicki inside a stolen car at the park just off of Lee Road around 12:30 p.m., police said.

Galicki showed the trooper a handgun, police said.

Members of the state police Special Emergency Response Team, Troop P, surrounded the grounds to try to negotiate with Galicki, police said. The standoff lasted into the early evening hours.

Troopers attempted to take Galicki into custody. He was shot once.

Galicki, who suffered from a non-life threatening gunshot wound, was treated at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township.

The trooper involved in the shooting was placed on administrative duties pending the outcome of an investigation, which is normal procedure, according to Luzerne County District Attorney Jacqueline Musto Carroll.

“The state police will do an internal investigation to determine whether state police policies and procedures were followed,” she said.

State police at Wyoming’s criminal investigation unit is investigating.

Officials have not released the trooper’s name.

Musto Carroll said the criminal matter involving Galicki has already been investigated by the state police, Shickshinny station, and the district attorney’s office.

Arrest papers were not readily available Saturday evening.

Galicki was charged with two counts each of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property for possessing a stolen firearm and vehicle, and one count each of burglary, aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

Police also charged him with carrying the firearm without a license.

Galicki was arraigned at the hospital before District Judge John Hasay, Shickshinny, and remanded to the county correctional facility in lieu of $50,000 straight bail.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday.

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