Man in custody in police involved shooting in Kingston

KINGSTON — A Kingston police officer discharged a round from his service revolver when a man pulled what was believed to be a firearm from his waistband inside an apartment building on Wyoming Avenue early Thursday morning.

Harley Fitzgerald-Krongel, 28, surrendered with his hands up after the officer retreated down a hallway at 279 Wyoming Ave. where the incident took place just before 3 a.m.

Police Chief Rich Kotchik said officers responded to the apartment building for a medical call and encountered an open door on the second floor.

According to the criminal complaint:

Officer Ryan Mohovich and emergency medical technicians entered the apartment building and located Fitzgerald-Krongel who appeared to be intoxicated inside a second floor apartment.

Mohovich communicated with Fitzgerald-Krongel, who has a hearing disability, with a thumb-up gesture several times.

Fitzgerald-Krongel disappeared into a bedroom and reappeared with no weapons in his hands.

While exiting the apartment, Mohovich gave another thumb-up gesture to determine if Fitzgerald-Krongel was okay but he ignored him.

Fitzgerald-Krongel opened a refrigerator, took a swig of liquor and turned to face Mohovich who gave another thumb-up gesture.

Fitzgerald-Krongel then waved in a manner to have Mohovich leave the apartment.

As Mohovich was exiting, Fitzgerald-Krongel approached him and reached behind his back brandishing a firearm he aimed at the officer.

Mohovich placed himself in front of the EMTs and pushed them away.

Fitzgerald-Krongel continued to aim the firearm at Mohovich who discharged a round from his service revolver and retreated down a hallway calling for assistance.

After a few minutes, Fitzgerald-Krongel surrendered with his hands up was arrested.

Kotchik said the firearm Fitzgerald-Krongel brandished was later identified as a pellet gun.

Fitzgerald-Krongel was not injured in the shooting. He was taken to a local hospital to be evaluated.

Police charged Fitzgerald-Krongel with three counts each of aggravated assault and terroristic threats. He apologized when he was led into the courtroom of District Judge James Haggerty to be arraigned on the charges.

Fitzgerald-Krongel was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $300,000 bail.