Police say suspect in officer’s death refused to drop rifle

Shetler hasn’t yet been charged with a crime. District Attorney John Peck said it is too early in the investigation to determine whether his office will seek the death penalty. Shetler had suffered a bullet wound to the shoulder in the confrontation with Reed and was hospitalized, the TV station said.

“He said, ‘Expletive the police, ‘ to her”, Limani said. For now, when New Florence borough officers are off-duty, there are times when St. Clair officers respond to calls, she said. “He was aggressive. He refused to put it down, and he advanced on the officer”.

She said he was the type of guy that would give the shirt off his back, but she doesn’t know what went through his mind Saturday night.

Shetler’s girlfriend, Kristin Luther, owns the Ligonier Street home where the shooting occurred, members of Shetler’s family said. “He came maybe five minutes later and stayed with me until my husband got there, then stayed with me when my husband went and called the tow truck”, she said. While she didn’t know Officer Reed personally, she said he made a lasting impression. When Shetler came out, Reed repeatedly commanded him to put down his. 270 rifle he used to shoot the officer.

Police say the suspect, Ray Shetler, 31 allegedly assaulted his girlfriend, which is why police were responding. He was jailed Monday and faces a preliminary hearing December 11.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and local investigators continue to search for the rifle, spending much of Monday scanning the Conemaugh River near New Florence.

Police said that Shetler had previously had incidents that involved police, but nothing that approached the current situation. An arrest warrant was expected to be obtained Sunday after Shetler was taken in for questioning.

“It’s tragic”, she said.

“Thoughts and prayers are with family and colleagues of St. Clair Township Officer Lloyd Reed who was killed in the line of duty last night”, Wolf said in a statement.