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2014 Pennsylvania State Police barracks attack

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2014 Pennsylvania State Police barracks attack
LocationBlooming Grove, Pike County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DateSeptember 12, 2014 (2014-09-12)
10:50 p.m. EDT
TargetPennsylvania State Troopers
Attack type
Murder by shooting, domestic terrorism
Weapons.308-caliber rifle
Deaths1 (Cpl. Bryon Dickson)
Injured1 (Tpr. Alex Douglass)
PerpetratorEric Matthew Frein
MotiveAttempting to start a revolution
VerdictGuilty on all counts
Convictions
SentenceDeath

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

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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 82 yards (75 m) 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.[7]

Victims

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  • Corporal Bryon K. Dickson II, 38, a seven-year veteran (killed)[8]
  • Trooper Alex Douglass, 31, a ten-year veteran (injured)[7]

Perpetrator

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Wanted Poster accompanying the FBI Press Release announcing the capture of Eric Matthew Frein on October 30, 2014
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.[4][5][9] The vehicle was traced back to his parents, and multiple pieces of evidence, including bullet casings matched to the attack, were discovered inside.[2][10] He led authorities on a manhunt after the shootings, eventually being placed on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.[11][12]

Frein was described by police as a "self-taught survivalist" with a grudge against law enforcement personnel.[13] At the time of the attack, he was a reenactor who acted in a variety of roles, most often Serbian soldiers.[4] In 2008, Frein founded Istocni Vuk or "Eastern Wolf", whose Myspace page pictured Frein engaged in recreational military simulations as a Serbian soldier.[14]

The police manhunt, initially involving nearly 200 officers by September 17,[10] grew to nearly 1,000 on September 24.[15] Law enforcement officers included local police; state police forces from Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey;[16] Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Marshals Service; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.[17] 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.[15] 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.[18]

Frein was captured by U.S. Marshals near Birchwood-Pocono Airpark, an abandoned airfield[19] approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) ENE of Tannersville, on October 30, 48 days after the shooting.[20] At the time of his arrest, he was unarmed,[21] but a .308-caliber rifle and a pistol were recovered afterward. He was arrested without incident[22][23] and restrained using handcuffs belonging to Dickson.[24][25] The day after his capture, he was charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder in the attack.[26]

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.[27][28] The U.S. Marshals claim this occurred while he was lying on the ground during his arrest.[28][29] The Pennsylvania State Police, however, claim these injuries occurred while he was on the run.[30][31]

Aftermath

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On October 1, following discovery of two pipe bombs, all hunting and trapping on public or private land and all access to state gameland was forbidden in the shaded areas.[32][33] The blue-shaded area was reopened on October 10.[34][35] The green-shaded area was reopened October 21, after two sightings of Frein in Paradise Township, while the yellow remained under the hunting/trapping ban and gameland closures.[36][37]

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 20 miles (32 km) 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.[38]

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.[8][39] 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][40] 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

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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.[41]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Payne, Ed; Berlinger, Joshua (September 13, 2014). "Pennsylvania state trooper dies in shooting; another wounded". CNN. Archived from the original on September 15, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
  2. ^ a b The Morning Call (September 19, 2014). "After shots are reported, residents within miles of Eric Frein home ordered to get inside - The Morning Call". themorningcall.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2014. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  3. ^ Ambush suspect was former Northampton Community College student Archived 2016-08-19 at the Wayback Machine, The Express-Times, September 17, 2014.
  4. ^ a b c Matt Assad and Peter Hall (October 1, 2014). "No warning signs in ordinary life of trooper slaying suspect". Morning Call. Archived from the original on December 17, 2015. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Pennsylvania suspect in police killing belonged to 'military simulation unit' Archived 2016-09-27 at the Wayback Machine, The Guardian, September 17, 2014.
  6. ^ a b c Sheehan, Dan (November 12, 2014). "Two months to day of sniper shooting, Blooming Grove barracks reopens". The Morning Call. Archived from the original on October 10, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
  7. ^ a b c "Shot Pa. trooper: 'I crawled on my arms, dragged my legs'". WPVI-TV. May 21, 2015. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
  8. ^ a b Alcindor, Yamiche (September 13, 2014). "Pa. police: 1 trooper dead, another injured in shooting". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
  9. ^ Brendan Gibbons (September 18, 2014). "Game Commission tracking team hunting for Frein". Times-Tribune. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  10. ^ a b Holly Yan, Greg Botelho and Chelsea J. Carter (September 17, 2014). "Trooper shooting suspect might try to target more officers, police say". CNN. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  11. ^ "FBI — ERIC MATTHEW FREIN". FBI. Archived from the original on October 31, 2014. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  12. ^ "FBI adds Frein to 10 Most Wanted list". The Philadelphia Inquirer. September 20, 2014. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
  13. ^ "Day 9 Of Manhunt For PA Barracks Shooting Suspect Eric Frein". KYW-TV. The Associated Press. September 21, 2014. Archived from the original on June 4, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  14. ^ "Istocni Vuk Photos on Myspace". Myspace. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
  15. ^ a b Rheanna Murray (September 24, 2014). "U.S. Accused Cop Killer Eric Frein Repeatedly Appears, Then Eludes Manhunt". Good Morning America/ABC News. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  16. ^ "The hunt for Eric Frein". Pocono Record. September 28, 2014. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  17. ^ Holly Yan (September 22, 2014). "Pennsylvania trooper killing: Who is suspect Eric Frein?". CNN. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  18. ^ Rheanna Murray (September 19, 2014). "U.S. Accused Cop Shooter Eric Frein Reenacting Rambo, Colleague Suggests". ABC News. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  19. ^ "Accused Trooper Shooter Eric Frein in Police Custody After 48 Day Manhunt". WCAU-TV. October 30, 2014. Archived from the original on October 31, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  20. ^ Ivey DeJesus (October 31, 2014). "Eric Frein surrendered to U.S. marshals, did not put up a fight, state police said". PennLive/The Patriot News. Archived from the original on August 29, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  21. ^ Michael Rubinkam (October 31, 2014). "Captured: Manhunt Ends for Trooper Ambush Suspect". ABC News. Archived from the original on November 2, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  22. ^ Dana Ford (October 30, 2014). "FBI most-wanted suspect Eric Frein in custody - CNN.com". CNN. Archived from the original on November 2, 2014. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  23. ^ Winter, Tom; Johnson, M. Alex (October 30, 2014). "Authorities Capture Accused Cop Killer Eric Frein". NBCNews.com. Archived from the original on October 31, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  24. ^ "Trooper ambush suspect Eric Frein taken in handcuffs of murdered officer". Fox News. October 21, 2014. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  25. ^ "Eric Frein Captured: Accused Cop Killer In Custody, Police Say". The Huffington Post. October 30, 2014. Archived from the original on November 13, 2014. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  26. ^ McGraw, Seamus (31 October 2014). "Eric Frein, Suspect in Killing of Pennsylvania State Trooper, Appears in Court". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 4 November 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  27. ^ Debbie Truong (October 31, 2014). "Quiet, bruised Eric Frein denied bail after brief arraignment on trooper killing charges". PennLive/The Patriot News. Archived from the original on September 19, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  28. ^ a b Ralph Iannotti (October 31, 2014). "Community Breathes Sigh Of Relief After Frein's Capture". CBS Pittsburgh. Archived from the original on August 14, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  29. ^ Laura McCrystal and Ben Finley (October 31, 2014). "Investigator: Frein 'fully' expected capture". philly.com. Archived from the original on December 26, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  30. ^ TOM LLAMAS and RHEANA MURRAY (October 31, 2014). "Accused Cop Killer Eric Frein's Dramatic First Court Appearance After Capture". ABC News. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  31. ^ Sasha Goldstein (October 31, 2014). "Eric Frein arraigned following capture 7 weeks after allegedly murdering Pa. state trooper". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  32. ^ "Game Commission bans hunting in manhunt search". WFMZ-TV. October 1, 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-11-13. Retrieved 2016-08-25.
  33. ^ "Manhunt places hunting seasons on hold". Pennsylvania State Game Commission. October 1, 2014. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  34. ^ Dan Ratchford (October 10, 2010). "Hunting restrictions lifted in part of search area". WNEP. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  35. ^ "Hunting seasons restored in parts of Pike County". Pennsylvania Game Commission. October 10, 2014. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  36. ^ "Pa. lifts hunting ban in all of Pike County". The Sentinel. October 21, 2014. Archived from the original on January 4, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  37. ^ "Hunting seasons restored in entirety of Pike County". Pennsylvania Game Commission. October 21, 2014. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  38. ^ Julia Talanova (January 30, 2015). "Eric Frein pleads not guilty in state trooper's death". CNN. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  39. ^ Chappell, Bill (September 13, 2014). "2 Troopers Shot At Pennsylvania State Police Barracks". NPR. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
  40. ^ Tatenbaum, Michael (September 12, 2015). "One year after fatal ambush on Pa. State Police barracks, Frein trial still looms". Philly Voice. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
  41. ^ Kelley, Amanda (September 13, 2014). "UPDATE: One Trooper Killed In Shooting At State Police Barracks". WNEP. Archived from the original on August 21, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2016.

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