2014 Pennsylvania State Police barracks attack explained

Location:Blooming Grove, Pike County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Time:10:50 p.m. EDT
Caption:The location of the attack a few days after
Perp:Eric Matthew Frein
Target:Pennsylvania State Troopers
Fatalities:1 (Cpl. Bryon Dickson)
Injuries:1 (Tpr. Alex Douglass)
Type:Murder by shooting, domestic terrorism
Motive:Attempting to start a revolution
Weapons:.308-caliber rifle
Verdict:Guilty on all counts
Convictions:
Child:yes
Sentence:Death

On September 12, 2014, during a shift change at the Pennsylvania State Police barracks in Blooming Grove Township, two state troopers were shot with a .308 caliber rifle. One trooper died at the scene and another was taken to a hospital where he recovered. Eric Frein was identified by the police as the only suspect in the case, and led the police on a weeks-long manhunt. He was eventually captured at an abandoned airport hangar on October 30, and charged with terrorism, murder, and attempted murder. Frein was convicted of all charges in April 2017, and subsequently sentenced to death.

Attack

At 10:50 p.m.[1] on September 12, 2014, a shift change was commencing outside the Troop R barracks of the Pennsylvania State Police in the Pocono Mountains in the Township of Blooming Grove, Pennsylvania. At that moment, a sniper opened fire with a .308-caliber rifle.[2] One trooper was killed by the gunfire and a second was injured, but survived.[3] [4] [5]

Four shots were fired within 90 seconds, from a distance of 82yd in a position at the edge of the nearby woods, before the shooter fled further into the wooded area.[6] One trooper was shot trying to help the other, prompting him to crawl back to safety, where he was aided by two other troopers.

Victims

Perpetrator

See main article: Eric Frein. Eric Matthew Frein was identified as the main suspect of the attack after the discovery of an abandoned 2001 Jeep Cherokee three days after the event.[5] [8] The vehicle was traced back to his parents, and multiple pieces of evidence, including bullet casings matched to the attack, were discovered inside.[9] He led authorities on a manhunt after the shootings, eventually being placed on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.[10] [11]

Frein was described by police as a "self-taught survivalist" with a grudge against law enforcement personnel.[12] At the time of the attack, he was a reenactor who acted in a variety of roles, most often Serbian soldiers. In 2008, Frein founded Istocni Vuk or "Eastern Wolf", whose Myspace page pictured Frein engaged in recreational military simulations as a Serbian soldier.[13]

The police manhunt, initially involving nearly 200 officers by September 17, grew to nearly 1,000 on September 24.[14] Law enforcement officers included local police; state police forces from Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey;[15] Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Marshals Service; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.[16] Frein was seen several times during the manhunt, but each time, officers were unable to approach him directly due to the rugged terrain of the area, which allowed Frein to escape. They subsequently believed Frein was taunting them during the manhunt. A colleague from the MilSim group "Red Alliance" suggested that "If he's re-enacting anyone, it's Rambo from the very first movie," referring to the character of John Rambo in First Blood.[17]

Frein was captured by U.S. Marshals near Birchwood-Pocono Airpark, an abandoned airfield[18] approximately 3miles ENE of Tannersville, on October 30, 48 days after the shooting.[19] At the time of his arrest, he was unarmed,[20] but a .308-caliber rifle and a pistol were recovered afterward. He was arrested without incident[21] [22] and restrained using handcuffs belonging to Dickson.[23] [24] The day after his capture, he was charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder in the attack.[25]

Although Frein did not resist arrest, he suffered a cut to the bridge of his nose, as well as a scrape over his left eye and bruises to his cheeks and eyes.[26] [27] The U.S. Marshals claim this occurred while he was lying on the ground during his arrest.[27] [28] The Pennsylvania State Police, however, claim these injuries occurred while he was on the run.[29] [30]

Aftermath

After the attack, the Troop R barracks were immediately closed down for crime scene investigators to process it, and for repairs to windows shattered by gunfire. Trooper operations were temporarily handled at the barracks in Honesdale, about away. On November 12, 2014, two months after the attack, the barracks were reopened, with all but three employees (Alex Douglass and two others) returning to work.[6]

Frein was indicted on a total of twelve charges, including terrorism and first-degree murder. He pleaded not guilty to all charges during his video arraignment on January 29, 2015. Prosecutors sought the death penalty.[31]

Douglass, who suffered a gunshot wound to the pelvis, was taken to Geisinger Medical Center for treatment and was classified to be in stable but critical condition.[32] [33] Partially paralyzed by his injuries, he underwent sixteen surgeries at a New York City hospital in an effort to walk on his own again. In May 2015, his family announced that they forgave Frein for the shooting.[6] [34] Also in May 2015, Douglass shared his experience of being shot.[7]

On April 19, 2017, Frein was convicted on all 12 counts, including first-degree murder. On April 27, 2017, Frein was sentenced to death by lethal injection and sent to Pennsylvania's death row.

Reactions

Governor Tom Corbett released a statement after the attack, saying, "Every attack on an officer of the law is an attack on our state, our country and civilized society." He also ordered all state flags at the Pennsylvania State Capitol and commonwealth facilities to be flown at half-staff.[1]

State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan called the attack "cowardly" and said, "It cuts us to the core that such an event could happen."[1]

Congressman Tom Marino (R–10th) expressed his condolences to the victims and their families, and also condemned the attack, supporting the officers in their manhunt for the shooter.[35]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pennsylvania state trooper dies in shooting; another wounded. CNN. September 13, 2014. September 2, 2016. Ed. Payne. Joshua. Berlinger. https://web.archive.org/web/20160915173524/http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/13/justice/pennsylvania-shooting/. September 15, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  2. Web site: After shots are reported, residents within miles of Eric Frein home ordered to get inside - The Morning Call. The Morning Call. September 19, 2014. themorningcall.com. November 14, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141022123756/http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-pa-mc-t-frein-home-neighbors-ordered-to-shelter-20140919-story.html. October 22, 2014. live. mdy-all.
  3. http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/breaking-news/index.ssf/2014/09/police_ambush_suspect_was_mili.html Ambush suspect was former Northampton Community College student
  4. Web site: No warning signs in ordinary life of trooper slaying suspect. Morning Call. October 1, 2014. Matt Assad and Peter Hall. August 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20151217151122/http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-eric-frein-profile-20141001-story.html. December 17, 2015. live. mdy-all.
  5. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/17/pennsylvania-eric-frein-survivalist-police-killing Pennsylvania suspect in police killing belonged to 'military simulation unit'
  6. Web site: Two months to day of sniper shooting, Blooming Grove barracks reopens. The Morning Call. November 12, 2014. September 2, 2016. Dan. Sheehan. https://web.archive.org/web/20161010125241/http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-eric-frein-trooper-barracks-20141112-story.html. October 10, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  7. Web site: Shot Pa. trooper: 'I crawled on my arms, dragged my legs'. WPVI-TV. May 21, 2015. September 2, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160916045603/http://6abc.com/news/shot-pa-trooper-i-crawled-on-my-arms-dragged-my-legs/734714/. September 16, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  8. Web site: Game Commission tracking team hunting for Frein. Times-Tribune. September 18, 2014. Brendan Gibbons. August 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053024/http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/game-commission-tracking-team-hunting-for-frein-1.1755374. March 4, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  9. Web site: Trooper shooting suspect might try to target more officers, police say. CNN. September 17, 2014. Holly Yan, Greg Botelho and Chelsea J. Carter. August 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160828210955/http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/17/justice/pennsylvania-shooting-suspect/index.html?hpt=hp_t1. August 28, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  10. Web site: FBI — ERIC MATTHEW FREIN. FBI. November 14, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141031195057/http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/topten/eric-matthew-frein/. October 31, 2014. live. mdy-all.
  11. News: FBI adds Frein to 10 Most Wanted list. September 20, 2014. The Philadelphia Inquirer. September 2, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072215/http://articles.philly.com/2014-09-20/news/54113094_1_pocono-mountains-hanko-philadelphia-division. March 4, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  12. News: Day 9 Of Manhunt For PA Barracks Shooting Suspect Eric Frein . The Associated Press . September 21, 2014 . . August 25, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160604015614/http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2014/09/21/day-9-of-manhunt-for-pa-barracks-shooting-suspect-eric-frein/ . June 4, 2016 . live . mdy-all .
  13. Web site: Istocni Vuk Photos on Myspace. Myspace. September 2, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114954/https://myspace.com/359576349/photos. March 4, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  14. Web site: U.S. Accused Cop Killer Eric Frein Repeatedly Appears, Then Eludes Manhunt. Good Morning America/ABC News. September 24, 2014. Rheanna Murray. August 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160826071233/https://abcnews.go.com/US/accused-cop-killer-eric-frein-repeatedly-appears-eludes/story?id=25734478. August 26, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  15. News: The hunt for Eric Frein. October 1, 2014. Pocono Record. September 28, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140929130002/http://www.poconorecord.com/article/20140928/NEWS/409280333/101010/NEWS. September 29, 2014. live. mdy-all.
  16. Web site: Pennsylvania trooper killing: Who is suspect Eric Frein?. CNN. September 22, 2014. Holly Yan. August 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160828212259/http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/22/justice/pennsylvania-suspected-cop-killer/. August 28, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  17. Web site: U.S. Accused Cop Shooter Eric Frein Reenacting Rambo, Colleague Suggests. ABC News. September 19, 2014. Rheanna Murray. August 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160826071226/https://abcnews.go.com/US/accused-cop-shooter-eric-frein-reenacting-rambo-colleague/story?id=25633499. August 26, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  18. News: Accused Trooper Shooter Eric Frein in Police Custody After 48 Day Manhunt. October 30, 2014. WCAU-TV. October 30, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141031184954/http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/CAUGHT-Accused-Trooper-Shooter-in-Police-Custody-280999012.html. October 31, 2014. live. mdy-all.
  19. News: Eric Frein surrendered to U.S. marshals, did not put up a fight, state police said. Ivey DeJesus. PennLive/The Patriot News. October 31, 2014. August 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160829173355/http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/10/eric_frein_capture.html. August 29, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  20. News: Captured: Manhunt Ends for Trooper Ambush Suspect. Michael Rubinkam. ABC News. October 31, 2014. August 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20141102204706/https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/captured-manhunt-ends-trooper-ambush-suspect-26593858. November 2, 2014. live. mdy-all.
  21. Web site: FBI most-wanted suspect Eric Frein in custody - CNN.com. Dana Ford. October 30, 2014. CNN. November 14, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141102071856/http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/30/us/pennsylvania-trooper-shooting-suspect/index.html?hpt=hp_t2. November 2, 2014. live. mdy-all.
  22. News: Tom. Winter. M. Alex. Johnson. Authorities Capture Accused Cop Killer Eric Frein. October 30, 2014. NBCNews.com. October 30, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141031024011/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/authorities-capture-accused-cop-killer-eric-frein-n237916. October 31, 2014. live. mdy-all.
  23. News: Trooper ambush suspect Eric Frein taken in handcuffs of murdered officer. Fox News. October 21, 2014. August 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924173447/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/10/31/eric-frein-suspect-in-pennsylvania-trooper-ambush-taken-into-custody/. September 24, 2015. live. mdy-all.
  24. Web site: Eric Frein Captured: Accused Cop Killer In Custody, Police Say. The Huffington Post. 30 October 2014. November 14, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141113064030/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/30/eric-frein-captured_n_6079008.html. November 13, 2014. live. mdy-all.
  25. News: McGraw. Seamus. Eric Frein, Suspect in Killing of Pennsylvania State Trooper, Appears in Court. 31 October 2014. The New York Times. 31 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141104061508/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/01/us/eric-frein-suspect-in-killing-of-pennsylvania-state-trooper-appears-in-court.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0. 4 November 2014. live. dmy-all.
  26. News: Quiet, bruised Eric Frein denied bail after brief arraignment on trooper killing charges. Debbie Truong. PennLive/The Patriot News. October 31, 2014. August 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160919125211/http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/10/eric_frein_denied_bail_after_b.html. September 19, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  27. News: Community Breathes Sigh Of Relief After Frein's Capture. Ralph Iannotti. CBS Pittsburgh. October 31, 2014. August 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160814212743/http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2014/10/31/community-breathes-sigh-of-relief-after-freins-capture/. August 14, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  28. News: Investigator: Frein 'fully' expected capture. Laura McCrystal and Ben Finley. philly.com. October 31, 2014. August 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161226143217/http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20141101_Investigator__Frein__fully__expected_capture.html. December 26, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  29. News: Accused Cop Killer Eric Frein's Dramatic First Court Appearance After Capture. TOM LLAMAS and RHEANA MURRAY. ABC News. October 31, 2014. August 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160826071229/https://abcnews.go.com/US/accused-cop-killer-eric-freins-dramatic-court-appearance/story?id=26600061. August 26, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  30. News: Eric Frein arraigned following capture 7 weeks after allegedly murdering Pa. state trooper. Sasha Goldstein. New York Daily News. October 31, 2014. August 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160826164836/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/eric-frein-arraigned-dramatic-capture-weeks-long-manhunt-article-1.1994264. August 26, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  31. News: Eric Frein pleads not guilty in state trooper's death. Julia Talanova. CNN. January 30, 2015. August 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160828211213/http://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/29/us/pennsylvania-eric-frein/. August 28, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  32. Web site: Pa. police: 1 trooper dead, another injured in shooting. USA Today. September 13, 2014. September 2, 2016. Yamiche. Alcindor. https://web.archive.org/web/20161011005602/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/09/13/pennsylvania-police-barracks-shooting/15574705/. October 11, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  33. Web site: 2 Troopers Shot At Pennsylvania State Police Barracks. NPR. September 13, 2014. September 2, 2016. Bill. Chappell. https://web.archive.org/web/20160916151001/http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2014/09/13/348181800/2-troopers-shot-at-pennsylvania-state-police-barracks. September 16, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  34. Web site: One year after fatal ambush on Pa. State Police barracks, Frein trial still looms. Philly Voice. September 12, 2015. September 2, 2016. Michael. Tatenbaum. https://web.archive.org/web/20160918222539/http://www.phillyvoice.com/one-year-fatal-ambush-pa-state-police-barracks/. September 18, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  35. Web site: UPDATE: One Trooper Killed In Shooting At State Police Barracks. WNEP. September 13, 2014. September 2, 2016. Amanda. Kelley. https://web.archive.org/web/20160821152604/http://wnep.com/2014/09/13/breaking-news-incident-at-state-police-barracks-in-blooming-grove/. August 21, 2016. live. mdy-all.

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