DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — Pennsylvania State Police have released more details about a deadly shooting that took place Saturday that killed one trooper and injured another.
They say the suspect was also killed.
In a press conference Sunday afternoon, it was announced that the incident began around 11 a.m. in Juniata County at the Lewistown Barracks.
State police said a 2008 Chevrolet pickup registered to Brandon Stine, 38, was observed to be driving through the parking lot of the barracks before getting out of his vehicle and firing several rounds from a long rifle into marked patrol cars before getting back into his vehicle and driving away.
READ MORE | Shooter and PSP Trooper dead, second Trooper seriously injured in Juniata Co.
According to the press conference, Lt. Wagner was serving as the officer of the day for Troop G when he joined the search for Stine.
State police say that Lt. Wagner encountered Stine around 12:45 p.m. in Mifflintown Borough, and was critically injured when Stine fired his rifle at him.
State police also say that nearby citizens and witnesses then assisted Lt. Wagner and provided him aid while others used the radio in his patrol car to call for other troopers and emergency services for assistance, after which life-saving measures were successfully performed on Wagner.
Lt. Wagner was then transported to Lewistown Hospital and then life-flighted to Hershey Medical Center where he currently remains in critical condition.
State police say Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens began assisting and directing in the search for Stine by helicopter.
Bivens said, even though Stine was firing from a rifle strong enough to defeat the armor worn by the troopers, they heroically continued the search.
Bivens went on to say Stine appeared to be playing a game of “cat and mouse” with troopers, in which phone calls from him were supposedly providing locations to his whereabouts, with him ending up not being there, seeming to be setting troopers up for an ambush.
Bivens then said that, while troopers were covering multiple municipalities and jurisdictions, Pennsylvania State Trooper Jacques F. Rougeau Jr. was traveling down Baumgardner Drive towards Swamp Road when he encountered Stine.
According to Bivens, Rougeau was then ambushed by Stine with a gunshot, striking him through the windshield of his patrol car, killing him around 2:30 p.m.
Bivens said that, while other troopers came to Rougeau’s assistance, Stine escaped by Swamp Road toward a rural and residential area, with troopers attempting to flush him out of the area.
Bivens then said that he had witnessed one of the most intense gun fights in his many years with the state police and being in serious situations.
According to Bivens, Stine then drove through a field to Harshbarger’s store and a nearby restaurant where he encountered patrons in the parking lot.
Bivens said that, at this time, troopers put themselves between Stine and the patrons and were able to force him back to Baumgardner Drive, when an exchange of gunfire began.
Bivens then stated that troopers were able to catch Stine after he then drove through a residential yard and got stuck between a row of trees.
State police say they are currently working with Juniata County District Attorney Cory Snook in the investigation into the incident.
They say it is a miracle that no members of the public were injured or killed during the situation.
They said there are currently no clear motives as to why the shooting occurred, but that the investigation remains open and active.
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