Pennsylvania State Police: 1 trooper shot dead, 1 injured in targeted attack outside barracks

BLOOMING GROVE, Pa. – Two troopers were ambushed outside a state police barracks in northeastern Pennsylvania during a late-night shift change, leaving one dead and another injured, and authorities were searching Saturday for the suspect or suspects, state police said.

One trooper was leaving the barracks in Pike County’s Blooming Grove and another was arrived when shots were fired just before 11 p.m. Friday, State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan said. He confirmed that one trooper was killed and the other was injured and taken to Geisinger Medical Center in Scranton, where he was in stable condition.

Noonan said the attack seemed to be directed solely at state police.

“This has been an emotional night for all of us,” he told reporters.

Law enforcement officials from across the region, including New York and New Jersey, descended on northeastern Pennsylvania to help with the search. The Blooming Grove barracks is in a wooded area, surrounded by state game lands.

Noonan said authorities did not have a description of the shooter or shooters but said they were following several leads.

“We can’t say that the situation is completely in hand” he said. He said police did not believe the general public was at risk, but they are asking everyone to be on the lookout for anything suspicious.

Several roads around the barracks, including parts of Interstate 84, were closed Saturday morning. Blooming Grove is a township of about 4,000 people about 35 miles east of Scranton.