(CNN) -- Three Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, police officers were killed Saturday morning while responding to a call about a domestic dispute, Police Chief Nathan Harper said.
Story Highlights
Suspect was wearing bulletproof vest, armed with AK-47, police chief says
Third officer killed was on his way home after finishing shift
Officers were responding to domestic call in Stanton Heights area of Pittsburgh
Two more officers were injured in the nearly four-hour standoff that ensued
(CNN) -- Three Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, police officers were killed Saturday morning while responding to a call about a domestic dispute, Police Chief Nathan Harper said.
Police officers respond after a shooting Saturday in Pittsburgh
The suspect was taken into custody after negotiations with law enforcement.
Richard Poplawski was wearing a bulletproof vest when he opened fire on Officers Paul Sciullo III and Stephen Mayhle in the doorway of his Stanton Heights home at about 7 a.m., Harper said.
Officer Eric Kelly, who rushed to the scene on his way home after finishing his shift, was fatally shot as he attempted to assist his fallen colleagues, Harper said.
The shootings led to a standoff outside the home lasting nearly four hours, in which two more officers were injured, Harper said.
Poplawski, who was armed with an AK-47 and a .22-caliber long rifle, fired about 100 rounds during the standoff, Harper said.
Harper described the incident as the most deadly in the force's recent history.
"We have never had to lose three officers in the line of duty at one time," Harper said. "The last time we had an officer fatally injured was in 1995."
Poplawski was taken into custody after surrendering to law enforcement. He is expected to face charges of homicide, aggravated assault and other related offenses.
His mother was inside the house at the time, Harper said.
The suspect was taken to a hospital, and Harper said he didn't know the extent of his injuries.