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Wilkinsburg police shooting
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On January 31, 2016, a police shooting occurred in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, when police officers responded to a complaint for drinking in public. A pursuit followed and a suspect fatally stabbed a police dog, and was then shot dead. This has caused controversy on whether a human's life is more important than a dog's. Incident Bruce Kelley Sr, aged 60, and his son Bruce Kelley Jr., aged 37, were drinking alcohol in a busway gazebo in the Pittsburgh suburb of Wilkinsburg. At 4 p.m, two Port Authority of Allegheny County police officers were walking down the busway trail when they saw the Kelley's consuming unspecified alcoholic beverages in open containers. The officers approached the Kelley's to hand them a ticket for drinking in public. Bruce Kelley Jr. instead walked away and then cursed when the officers told him to stop, instead rushing at one of the officers, identified only as Officer Adams. Kelley Jr. fought with that officer, who was later taken to a hospital with cuts to his hands. Officer Emily Hampy tried to help subdue Kelley Jr., and the younger man called for his father for help. Kelley Sr. allegedly punched Hampy in the right side of her face, then fought with her, knocking loose her radio and nametag. Hampy used pepper spray to subdue Kelley Sr. while trying to help the other officer subdue Kelley Jr. At this point Kelley Sr. got back up and was pepper sprayed again, at which point his son fled. The officers pursued Kelley Jr. in a short chase and he was caught up later. This is when the officers pulled out a taser in an attempt to subdue Kelley Jr. but it wasn't effective because of the heavy coat he was wearing. Sgt. Brian O'Malley released his K-9 Aren to chase after Kelley Jr., who then brandished a knife to stab the dog as it held onto on his arm. This is when Sgt. O'Malley controversially shot Kelley Jr. dead in the process. Both of the men involved have extensive arrest and criminal records.<ref name="digitaljournal.com"/>
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