Officer Wounded When Man Tried To Grab Officer's Gun From Holster And It Went Off, Prosecutors Say

POTTSTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A man has been charged with attempted murder after authorities allege he tried to grab a suburban Philadelphia police officer's gun from its holster and the weapon went off, wounding the officer, prosecutors said.

Montgomery County prosecutors said officers in Pottstown were dispatched to a domestic dispute at a nearby apartment Friday afternoon but left after the couple promised to stay away from each other. They were called back to the home shortly after 4:30 p.m. Friday and the woman alleged that the man had grabbed her by the neck.

Prosecutors said one officer was trying to arrest William Ciccoli Jr., 42, on a domestic assault count when Ciccoli charged the other officer, a police corporal, and struggled with him. Prosecutors said the corporal can be heard on body-camera video saying, “He's trying to get my gun.”

Prosecutors said the other officer deployed a stun weapon, and at the same time, a gunshot was heard. They said the body-camera video “shows Ciccoli with both hands on” the corporal's firearm before the gunshot.

Prosecutors said the corporal was struck in the right hip and taken to Reading Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition after surgery.

Ciccoli was charged with attempted murder of a police officer, aggravated assault, disarming an officer, strangulation, simple assault and reckless endangering, according to court documents. Court documents don't list an attorney representing him and a message couldn't be left at a number listed in his name.