Cameron County District Attorney Paul Malizia was shot at his Pennsylvania office on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, but he is expected to survive, according to a news release from Pennsylvania State Police.
Malizia wrote on Facebook, “My family and I thank you for your concern regarding today’s most unfortunate events. I am well and will continue to serve as Cameron County’s District Attorney.” He added in a second post, “Thank you all for your prayers and well-wishes. Very, very fortunate. Back home and will be back in the saddle tomorrow!”
Acording to the Olean Times Herald, Malizia’s law office doubles as the DA’s office.
In the news release, Pennsylvania State Police wrote that “one female was taken into custody in connection with the shooting.”
Police wrote that Porice Diamond Mincy, 31, Emporium, is charged with aggravated assault “and related charges.” Malizia “was released from the hospital and is in stable condition,” the release says, adding that, “On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at approximately 3:00pm PSP Emporium was notified of a shooting at the District Attorney’s office located at 25 E
4th St Emporium, PA 15834.”
The newspaper reported that Malizia was seen walking to an ambulance and is expected to recover. The Bradford Era reported that the shooting occurred in Emporium.
Here’s what you need to know:
Paul Malizia Has Worked as an Attorney in Pennsylvania for More Than 41 Years
Malizia has been an attorney for the private law firm Malizia & Malizia, PC for more than 41 years, according to his LinkedIn page.
On his Facebook page, Malizia thanked Cameron County residents for supporting him in May 2023. “Dear Cameron County Residents, I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your support during the recent primary election. Your votes and trust in me as a candidate for Cameron County District Attorney has been truly humbling, even If I am running unopposed,” he wrote.
“I respectfully request your support again in the upcoming general election on Tuesday, November 5th. Rest assured that I will continue my commitment to justice and passion for serving the community. Once again, thank you for your support during the primary season. I look forward to earning your trust and confidence in the general election as we work together to create a safer and brighter future for Cameron County.”
According to State Police: “The circumstances of the shooting are still actively being investigated, but it appears to be an
isolated incident. The victim is believed to have sustained non-life-threatening injuries. After the shooting, the female actor left the location of the incident in a vehicle. Upon further investigation, a suspect has been taken into custody.”
Paul Malizia Filled His Campaign Facebook Page With Family Photos
Paul Malizia filled his campaign Facebook page with family photos. He shared a graphic recently that read, “True happiness is realizing that your children have turned out to be really good people.”
People offered prayers for Malizia on the Facebook comment thread of 1250 WLEM, which reported that he was shot. “Prayers for Paul,” read one.
Shootings of lawyers are somewhat rare but they do happen. In 2022, a North Carolina lawyer, Patrick White, was killed in his office by a client, according to ABC13.
Also in 2022, a Georgia divorce lawyer, Doug Lewis, was shot and killed by his client’s estranged husband, according to The Guardian. In 2017, Wisconsin lawyer Sara Quirt Sann was shot and killed by the estranged husband of her client in a divorce case, ABAJournal reported.
According to Fox News, “over the last century, 14 prosecutors have been killed.” In 2015, two Texas prosecutors were killed, Fox reported.
District Attorney Mike McLelland of Kaufman County, Texas, and his wife were shot to death inside their home, and two months before, an assistant district attorney for the same office was shot to death as he walked to the courthouse, Fox News reported.
Others in the criminal justice system, such as federal judges, have also been killed or had their families killed over the years. The husband and son of Federal Judge Esther Salas were shot by a man who came to their door in 2020, although her husband survived the attack, according to NBC News.
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