Patrick J. Kanonczyk Cause Of Death: Man killed in police shooting during Millcreek apartment incident.

Patrick J. Kanonczyk Cause Of Death – A fatal police shooting in Millcreek Township is under investigation after officers responded to reports of a violent disturbance at an apartment complex near the Millcreek Mall on the evening of May 11. Authorities say numerous 911 calls were made reporting a man smashing car windows with a hammer and allegedly attempting to assault his girlfriend with the weapon.

Millcreek Township police arrived at The Reserve at Millcreek apartments, located on Treetop Drive off Kuntz Road, around 7:18 p.m. Upon arrival, officers encountered a man who matched the suspect’s description. According to the Pennsylvania State Police, a brief encounter followed, during which Millcreek officers fired their weapons, striking the suspect. The man, later identified as 36-year-old Patrick J. Kanonczyk, was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:24 p.m. by the Erie County Coroner’s Office.

Details about the interaction that led to the shooting remain unclear. Authorities have not confirmed whether Kanonczyk was armed with a firearm or provided information about how many officers discharged their weapons. It has been confirmed, however, that emergency medical care was attempted before Kanonczyk was pronounced deceased.

An autopsy was scheduled for May 12 at 12:30 p.m., and the findings may provide further insight into the cause of death and circumstances of the shooting. The officers involved in the incident have not been publicly identified and will be placed on administrative duty during the investigation.

Millcreek Police Chief Carter Mook assured the public that there is no ongoing threat following the incident. He added that state police are handling the investigation, with assistance from Erie County detectives and the District Attorney’s office. Erie County District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz has declined to comment further, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

Following the shooting, a section of Treetop Drive was closed as authorities processed the scene and collected evidence. Investigators are still trying to determine the exact location of the confrontation within the apartment complex and what specific events led officers to open fire.

The initial police response was prompted by numerous emergency calls from residents who witnessed a man using a hammer to break vehicle windows. One caller reported that the man also tried to attack his girlfriend with the hammer. At this time, no information has been released regarding the condition of the girlfriend or whether she was physically harmed.

This incident marks the latest in a series of officer-involved shootings in the Erie region. The most recent fatal police shooting prior to this case occurred on March 22, 2024, in Warren County. In that instance, a state trooper shot and killed a 41-year-old man during the execution of a high-risk search warrant in a drug investigation. Authorities later stated that the man was holding a firearm, refused to put it down, and made a sudden movement before the trooper fired. The officer involved in that case was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing.

The last officer-involved shooting involving Millcreek police took place on September 5, 2023, during a gunfight at a residence on East Gore Road. In that case, 26-year-old Keegan G. Baker was shot multiple times but survived. No officers were injured in the confrontation. Baker was later convicted on multiple charges, including attempted homicide, and received a prison sentence of 15 to 30 years.

The May 11 shooting has added to ongoing discussions about police use of force and officer accountability in the region. While it is too early to draw conclusions in this case, the investigation is expected to involve a thorough review of body camera footage, 911 call logs, witness statements, and forensic evidence.

Millcreek Township and surrounding communities are awaiting the results of the state police investigation to learn more about what happened during the fatal encounter. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information about the incident to come forward and assist investigators in piecing together the events that unfolded on the evening of May 11.

This remains a developing story, and updates are expected as more information becomes available through the investigation.