Gunman kills three people near Hollidaysburg
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Juniata Valley Road in Geeseytown, Blair County, remains closed while an investigation continues into several killings. -
The Rev. Elizabeth Hess, right, announced a vigil to remember the victims of today's shootings, to be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at Geeseytown Lutheran Church in Blair County. -
The site of the shootings in Frankstown Township near Hollidaysburg. -
Members of the media waited at the Geeseytown Fire Station, seen here, for information on multiple shooting incidents today in Geeseytown, part of Frankstown Township in Blair County. -
Deputy State Police Commissioner Lt. Col. George Bivens addresses the media Friday at a news conference regarding multiple shootings in Geeseytown, part of Frankstown Township in Blair County. -
Juniata Valley Road in Geeseytown, Blair County, remains closed while an investigation continues into several killings. -
Pennsylvania State Trooper Jeff Petucci addresses the members of the media at a bews conference regarding a shooting Friday along Juniata Valley Road in Geeseytown, part of Frankstown Township in Blair County.
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Three people were shot to death this morning near Hollidaysburg before Pennsylvania State Police killed the suspected gunman.
Three state troopers were injured while tracking the suspect, but they have all been treated and released from a hospital.
When they arrived at the scene along Juniata Valley Road in Frankstown Township, two troopers were fired upon by the driver of a pickup truck. A third trooper also was involved in a head-on crash with the pickup, a state police spokeswoman said.
The driver, identified by his neighbors as Jeff Michael, then left the truck and exchanged gunfire with the troopers, according to state police. The driver was killed during the exchange.
Mr. Michael's home is on Juniata Valley Road, about a half mile from Juniata Valley Gospel Church, where a woman, identified by Frankstown Township Supervisor George Henry as Kimberly Scott, was killed.
Neighbors and family members identified the other two victims as Kenneth Lynn and his son-in-law William Rhodes.
One trooper was struck by two bullets -- one in the chest that hit his body armor and another that hit his wrist. Another was hit by shattered glass during the gunfire. The third was injured in the vehicle crash.
Blair County District Attorney Rich Consiglio said the shooting scene "extended over several miles" in Frankstown Township.
Township supervisor Mark Schroyer said nearby schools weren't placed on lockdown.
State police, at a media briefing this afternoon, confirmed that the gunman shot a woman at Juniata Valley Gospel Church.
"As far as we've heard, it was inside," Beverly McCaulley, wife of the former pastor's son, told the Post-Gazette. "All I know is they were getting ready for a Christmas party for the children."
The gunman also shot a man at a home and another man who may have been involved in a separate crash with him, police said.
Police confiscated several weapons and were working to determine how they were obtained and who owns them.
State police gave the following account of the incident:
Troopers received a 911 call for shots fired at about 9 a.m. today.
As they responded, a subject in a truck fired shots at the marked patrol cars as he passed them. The subject then struck another marked patrol car head-on, disabling both vehicles. The man got out of the truck and began to fire into the marked patrol car, striking the trooper. The troopers returned gunfire striking and killing the suspect.
Troopers then discovered that three people had been killed at three different locations.
A prayer service and vigil is set for 7 p.m. Saturday at the Geeseytown Lutheran Church at the intersection of Route 22 and Juniata Valley Road.
First Published December 21, 2012 12:30 am
