Suspect accused of shooting an officer in Pottstown, Montgomery County during a domestic violence call

POTTSTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) — The suspect in the shooting of a police officer in PottstownMontgomery County has now been sued.

Authorities say it happened Friday around 4:30 p.m. in the 200 block of Chestnut Street while officers were investigating a domestic disturbance.

The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office said arriving officers encountered the suspect, identified as 42-year-old William Ciccoli Jr., and a woman arguing inside their home. According to investigators, this was the second time that day that police responded to the home for domestic violence.

When officers tried to diffuse the situation, authorities said Ciccoli became agitated and tried to remove one of the officers’ firearms from its holster.

A struggle ensued and the officer, now identified as Corporal Anthony Fischer, was shot in the hip when the gun went off. In bodycam video, authorities say Cpl. Fischer can be heard saying, “He’s trying to get my gun.”

Cpl. Fischer was taken to Reading Hospital Trauma Center where he underwent surgery and is currently in stable condition.

A neighbor who did not want to be identified said it happened just a few houses away.

“At one point we saw an officer being brought down in an orange stretcher. A few minutes later, the suspect was taken into custody,” the resident said.

Chasta Lopez says he knows the officer from the area.

“It’s just a smaller town, so when things like this happen, a flag is just raised. It’s close-knit,” she said.

The district attorney’s office says Ciccoli has been charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault and related charges.

A bail review is scheduled for Monday and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 26.