Teen with gun threatens officer

The teen is in the Lawrence County Jail, and his next hearing is Wednesday.

STAFF REPORT

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — An off-duty Sharon police officer was threatened at a city playground by a teenager who pointed a gun at the officer’s head, city police report.

Officer Vincent Martwinski told New Castle police that Jamal Murphy, 18, drew the gun on him around 2:05 p.m. Tuesday at the Park Avenue playground.

Martwinski had gone to the playground after getting a cell phone call from his stepson about being in trouble with a group of teenagers there, said New Castle Police Chief Tom Sansone.

Sansone said Martwinski is from New Castle, having addresses here and in Sharon. The stepson is from New Castle, Sansone added.

Murphy, of Park Avenue, is charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats for threatening to kill Martwinski, and carrying an unlicensed firearm.

He was arraigned Tuesday before District Magistrate Melissa Amodie and was in the Lawrence County Jail on Wednesday in lieu of $20,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for him at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Lawrence County Central Court.

Martwinski’s stepson told police Murphy called him and wanted to meet at the playground, according to documents on file in Amodie’s office.

Martwinski told police he tried to stop an altercation between the two and was surrounded by five individuals.

He told police that Murphy approached him and that he slapped Murphy. Then Murphy pulled the gun, he said.

Martwinski told police he identified himself to Murphy as a police officer. He told police Murphy indicated he didn’t care and would kill him, the affidavit says.

Murphy then punched Martwinski in the mouth, splitting his lip, the affidavit says. Martwinski then asked a juvenile who was there to call police.

Martwinski could not be reached for comment Wednesday.