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Richard Poplawski: The Pittsburgh Stanton Heights killer

by Amy Judd | April 4, 2009 at 12:34 pm

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Richard Poplawski, the man who shot three police officers dead and wounded five today in Stanton Heights in Pittsburgh, is described by friends as a 'partier' and a 'guy in search of an understanding of politics, even a walking comedian'.

He was however, paranoid about the government wanting to take away his guns, and therefore, his freedom.

"I've known this kid my entire life and he was a good kid. He never had bad intentions. He never spoke about harming anybody," said Edward Perkovic, a lifelong friend who had known Mr. Poplawski since the two paired up at a daycare.

He went to Immaculate Conception elementary school and then North Catholic High School. He was expelled from high school for an undiscolsed reason.

A friend said he wanted to join the marine corps and that's why he stopped attending high school. Military records however, indicate that he was dishonourably discharged from the marines during basic training. Richard went back to his girlfriend, but that relationship failed shortly after.

He then moved to Florida for two years and worked as a glazier, but returned to Pittsburgh somewhere around the beginning of 2007.

He worked with his friend Mr. Perkovic on an Internet show that featured local news, while he lived with his mother and grandmother in Stanton Heights.

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Mary Richard

at 13:36 on April 4th, 2009

Guns! It's always guns! Yesterday's shooter was into guns too. High time for some new laws, I'd say.

Amy Judd

at 13:50 on April 4th, 2009

I know - I think in these desperate times too many people are turning to what they see as the only option.

Esta posted an interesting piece about mass killings in the US right now.

Gregg Stevens (not verified)

at 19:59 on April 4th, 2009

The reason why it is guns is because people feel oppressed by the laws and regulations and tax debt that we now all have. They feel trapped, and if you combine that with someone of a low intellect that means violence. Guns aren't the issue either. If you took them away it would be knives or molotov cocktails or something else. The thing to focus on is the opression of taxation and limited freedom in people's individual lives.