Police Shoot, Kill Former Officer

A former officer turned suspect is dead after investigators say he was shot and killed by police.

Anthony Galla, 31, allegedly went to the home of his ex-girlfriend on the 200 block of South Walnut Street in Mount Carmel, Pa. (about 100 miles northwest of Philadelphia) around 1 a.m. Tuesday. When he arrived, police say Galla took out a weapon and shot several times at the home while his ex, her current boyfriend, identified as 48-year-old Daniel McNally, and a child were sleeping. Galla then fled the scene, according to investigators.

Responding police officers recovered .40-caliber brass shell casings inside the bedroom. McNally was struck once in the foot. He was taken to the hospital where he underwent surgery and is expected to survive. No one else was hurt.

The shooting sparked a manhunt of Galla, who investigators say has a military background and was a former part-time police officer who worked with several departments across Northumberland and Schuylkill counties. Around 6 p.m., investigators with the U.S. Marshall’s tracked Galla down to the Summit Motor Inn on 351 East Township Line Road in Upper Darby.

Upper Darby Police Department Superintendent Michael Chitwood said Galla was accused of having broken into the residence of a former girlfriend at about 1 a.m. Tuesday and fired seven rounds at a man, hitting him in the foot.

A U.S. Marshals task force including state police troopers located him in the area of the Summit Inn in Upper Darby, where he was seen with another man and woman.

Chitwood said members of the task force chased the man who was with Galla to a second-floor room, where gunfire resulted in Galla's death. No law enforcement officers were injured.

Officers found a loaded pistol underneath Galla's body and a duffel bag in the room contained numerous gun magazines, rounds for the pistol and ammunition for an AR-15 rifle he was believed to possess, Chitwood said.

"He was ready for war," Chitwood said, adding that police were still searching the room as well as two vehicles.

Police also say Galla's brother, who allegedly served as a lookout as well as his current girlfriend were taken into custody. Police have not yet revealed if either person will be charged. 

"Everybody was in a panic," said Darryl Manigault, who was inside the hotel during the standoff and shooting. "Nobody was able to leave their room."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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