Man Accused of In-Custody Shooting of PA Officer Arrested

Koby Francis, the 22-year-old man accused of hiding a gun during his arrest and shooting McKeesport, PA, Police Officer Jerry Athans when he arrived at the police station, has been taken into custody in West Virginia.

He was taken into custody on Tuesday at an apartment complex in Clarksburg by federal marshals and will remain at the North Central Regional Jail and Correctional Facility until he is extradited back to Pennsylvania to face charges, the Allegheny County Police Department announced. A warrant was out for Francis’ arrest on charges of criminal attempt homicide, escape, flight to avoid apprehension, aggravated assault and firearms violations. Francis was originally arrested over violation of a protection order.

“We were able to verify that Francis was at this location. We hit the location with a SWAT team just prior to six o’clock this evening,” Harrison County, WV, Sheriff Robert Matheny told KDKA on Tuesday.

Officer Athans initially suffered a gunshot wound to the neck. He then circled around to the front of the vehicle for cover. The criminal complaint says “Francis continued firing at Officer Athans, striking him two more times in his left shoulder.” Police say Officer Athans returned fire as Francis ran away.

Officer Athans has since been released from the hospital.