An investigation into an officer-involved shooting at the Meadows Apartments in Upper Providence Township early Wednesday morning has led to attempted murder charges for a 62-year-old Mont Clare man.
David Naumenko, 62, of the Mont Clare section of Upper Providence, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, assault of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, risking catastrophe and related offenses, in connection with the investigation. He’s currently being held at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu of $2 million cash bail.
The incident began at 2:59 a.m. on March 16, when a concerned family member called 9-1-1 to report that Naumenko was having a mental breakdown, had access to guns and was leaving their residence. The caller added they believed Naumenko was “harmless,” according to a release from the district attorney’s office.
An Upper Providence police officer located Naumenko’s white Silverado pickup truck at the Meadowview Apartments with Naumenko in the driver’s seat and his wife in the passenger seat, officials said. The officer approached the vehicle on foot and asked, “What’s going on?” and “You alright?” at which point Naumenko leaned into the vehicle and began firing at the officer, who had retreated to cover, according to the release.
One of the bullets grazed the back of the officer’s uniform and struck his radio cord, disabling his radio, investigators said.
Naumenko then allegedly drove his truck down Meadowview Lane, where he encountered a second officer and began firing shots at the police vehicle. The officer was able to find cover behind other vehicles, and he both radioed for back up and called to Naumenko’s wife to come to him, securing her safety, officials said.
As Naumenko continued firing at the second officer, a third officer from Limerick Township secured access to a second-story apartment and located Naumenko through an open window, at which point Naumenko shifted fire to the third officer, police said. When Naumenko began to reload his weapon, the third officer fired one shot and struck Naumenko in the upper right arm, knocking him down to the ground where Montgomery County SWAT members were able to take him into custody, officials said.
Multiple firearms and boxes of ammunition were recovered from Naumenko’s vehicle and home, with some of the weapons being legally registered and other’s having no record of purchase, police said. Naumenko also did not possess a permit to carry firearms, according to the release.
“Police officers are called to help day-in and day-out and never know what situation they will encounter upon arrival. This defendant began firing at the first arriving officer almost immediately and then continued firing multiple rounds, endangering the lives of not only the officers but many others who live in the area,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele. “Thankfully, the Upper Providence and Limerick police officers are well trained, and they reacted quickly and courageously at every point in this incident. Most importantly, every officer came out of this incident uninjured and were able to go home to their families, and the defendant is also alive, suffering only an arm injury.”
Naumenko’s next court appearance is a preliminary hearing on March 25 at 11 a.m. in front of District Judge Richard Welsh.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause.
See also:
Montco Man Accused of Killing Infant Son, Charged with Third-Degree Murder
Former Philly Corrections Officer Charged with Straw Purchase of Firearms at Gun Show in Montco
Investigation Launched into Fatal Montco Vehicle Crash
Montco Man Arrested After Attempting to Meet 13-Year-Old Girl for Sex, DA Says
