CULLMAN, Ala. – A Pennsylvania man died in Cullman June 1, and was, according to the Cullman Police Department, a person of interest in connection with a homicide in Manheim Borough, Pennsylvania.
Cullman County Coroner Jeremy Kilpatrick identified the man as Michael Anthony Boccia, 36, of York, Pennsylvania.
According to the CPD, on June 1 the department received a BOLO (be on the lookout) alert regarding maroon 2013 Toyota Avalon with a Pennsylvania license plate. The alert said the vehicle would be “occupied by Michael Boccia, who had been identified as a person of interest in connection with a homicide that occurred earlier that day in Manheim Borough, Pennsylvania. Information received also indicated that Boccia may be in possession of a handgun.”
Shortly after receiving the BOLO, according to the CPD, Sergeant Zane Pounders observed a vehicle matching the description in the area of Northcrest Drive Northwest in the city of Cullman.
“The vehicle was backed into a parking space with its lights off, and a male subject was observed inside,” the CPD said.
“Sergeant Pounders, along with additional officers, were attempting to initiate a high-risk stop and issue commands for the occupant to exit the vehicle. During the encounter, the subject, later identified as Michael Boccia, sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased at an area hospital. No officers discharged their firearms during this incident.”
Due to the nature of the incident, the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) was called in to conduct an independent investigation.
The CPD said Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker responded to the scene, and an autopsy has been ordered. Kilpatrick said he responded to Cullman Regional, where he declared Boccia deceased at 11:39 p.m. He said the incident occurred near 1845 Northcrest Dr. NW.
