OHIO — A 4-year-old girl is dead, and a St. Clair Township police officer is recovering from emergency surgery following a shooting Wednesday afternoon in the Calcutta area.
Authorities say the incident began shortly after 2 p.m. when officers responded to a report of a possibly suicidal man.
When police encountered 30-year-old Joseph Como walking down the street, he immediately opened fire.
A St. Clair Township officer was shot in the head, and the child, who was inside a nearby business, was also struck. Officers returned fire, hitting Como.
The officer, whose name has not been released, was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital for emergency surgery and was listed in stable condition Wednesday night.
The child was airlifted to an undisclosed hospital but later died from her injuries. Como also succumbed to his wounds.
In a statement, the St. Clair Township Police Department expressed condolences for both the child’s and Como’s families and asked the community for continued prayers.
Police Chief McKenzie requested the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to conduct an independent investigation.
In the meantime, Columbiana County Sheriff Brian McLaughlin and his deputies are handling patrol duties for St. Clair Township.
Multiple agencies responded to the incident, including police from Wellsville, East Liverpool, and Salem, as well as the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, and local fire departments.
The Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio is accepting tax-deductible donations to support the injured officer, his family, and the child’s family. Contributions can be made at FOP Ohio Foundation.
Authorities say updates will be shared via media releases and the department’s Facebook page as more information becomes available.
