Suspect identified in Churchill SWAT shootout

State police are taking over the investigation of a SWAT standoff in Churchill Wednesday evening that ended with police trading gunfire with a suspect and wounding him.

Churchill police and paramedics had responded to a domestic disturbance call on Harmain Road but left after speaking to a male occupant, later identified as Robert J. Cascella, 50, Allegheny County Police said. But before the paramedics had left, a woman who Allegheny County Police Superintendent Coleman McDonough said was Cascella's girlfriend came outside complaining that Cascella had struck her in the head and knocked her down.

Cascella refused to come back outside when police returned. Officers called for assistance from the Allegheny County Police Department SWAT team, starting a two-hour standoff at the home .

Police said that as officers approached the house, Cascella started shooting at them, and the SWAT officers returned fire starting about 6:45 p.m., wounding Cascella in the torso and arm.

Cascella was taken into custody and transported to a hospital in stable condition. His girlfriend was treated at the scene.

Police searched the residence and found numerous weapons, including an AR-15 rifle, a shotgun and two handguns; thousands of rounds of ammunition; body armor; a gas mask and night-vision goggles. McDonough said he was not aware of any circumstances under which Cascella, whom he believed was a Navy veteran, was barred from owning the firearms.

State and borough police charged Cascella with attempted homicide, two counts of aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and harassment in two separate cases.

County Police said state troopers are conducting an independent investigation of the shooting. The five county police officers who fired shots have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of that investigation, McDonough said.

Matthew Santoni is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724 836 6660, msantoni@tribweb.com or on Twitter @msantoni.