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Police: Suspect In Officer's Death Refused To Drop Rifle

 

Police say the man suspected of fatally shooting a western Pennsylvania police officer refused to drop his weapon, but it's unclear if he or the officer fired first.

Ray Shetler Jr. has been released from the hospital. The 31-year-old from New Florence was arraigned Monday on a homicide charge stemming from the shooting Saturday night of St. Clair Township Officer Lloyd Reed, who was responding to a domestic dispute.

State police were on their way to a residence after a woman reported that Shetler bloodied her nose, threatened to kill her and himself, and used a wood-burning stove to fill the house with smoke.

Police from neighboring departments were called to assist, and Reed was the first to arrive.

Police say he was shot in the torso with a rifle. The injured Shetler fled and was captured after a manhunt.

Reed's funeral will be Friday at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown.

Gov. Tom Wolf also ordered that all United States and state flags fly at half-staff to honor Reed. 

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