Police said a man with his young son fired his gun several times outside a police station -- and an officer’s patience helped divert what could have been a Christmas Day tragedy.
Michael Moran was walking with his 10-year-old autistic son when he parked by the fire department. A fireman spotted Moran get out of the car and walk up the narrow alley. Within a couple of seconds, officials said, four shots were fired right outside the neighboring Turtle Creek Police Station.
While the officer working inside was taking cover, two more shots were fired. A short time later, Moran showed up at the police station’s front door.
"He just said he no longer wanted to live. He said that he had really fouled up his life, he did some stupid things,” Turtle Creek Police Officer Michael Pruey said.
Police said the officer asked the man to raise his hands, and Moran told officers he put the gun down on one of the police cruisers. Pruey said the officer’s quick thinking and gut instinct helped police take the man into custody.
“(The officer) used great restraint when that gentleman was at the door, not knowing if he still had that weapon, that he could have been a threat, putting himself in danger like that. I think he needs to be commended for what he did there,” Pruey said.
Moran was in the Allegheny County Jail on Monday facing a slew of charges, including assault of a law enforcement officer, endangering the welfare of children and carrying a firearm without a license. The child was turned over to his mother.