McKeesport assault suspect's wife: 'He's not really like this'

The wife of a McKeesport man arrested this week for assaulting two police officers says the incident was the result of her husband's medical issues.

“He's not really like this,” said Erika Stills, whose husband Gary Stills Jr., 37, was involved in a fight with police Monday morning in the 1800 block of Willow Street. “He's having some medical issues that make him not be in his right frame of mind.”

Erika Stills said she and her husband's parents had contacted police prior to the incident because they wanted to take Gary Stills to the hospital for help with the condition.

“We warned police that he was being aggressive and would probably not come willingly,” Erika Stills said.

She said she is upset that police are charging her husband with aggravated assault, resisting arrest and criminal mischief in relation to the incident, considering the situation surrounding it.

Police said it took eight officers to bring Gary Stills under control after he became violent with officers who were attempting to put him in handcuffs.

Police fired two bean bag cartridges into Gary Stills in an effort to subdue him and Assistant Chief Tom Greene sustained minor injuries in the attack that required medical treatment.

Erika Stills said her husband does not appear to have sustained any serious injuries in the struggle with police but said he is currently hospitalized.

She said something began affecting her husband's behavior approximately a week ago and that doctors are now trying to determine what it is.

McKeesport police Chief Bryan Washowich said medical privacy laws forbid him from discussing medical conditions of suspects but he said Gary Stills is being charged.

“He's charged accordingly for the actions he took that day,” Washowich said. “The family will have due process in court.”

Erika Stills said the family's primary concern right now is finding out what's wrong with her husband and getting him treatment.

“He just has to get better,” she said.