(Adds details)
Dec 21 (Reuters) – Four people died on a Pennsylvania
highway on Friday when a gunman shot dead three people and later
was killed in a shootout with police, according to Pennsylvania
media, citing authorities.
Three state troopers were injured in the incident in
Frankstown Township, about 100 miles (160 km) east of
Pittsburgh.
Investigators suspect the shooter might have been driving
when he opened fire, shooting people for unknown reasons, the
Pittsburgh Tribune Review reported, citing an official with the
Blair County Emergency Management Agency.
“The Pennsylvania State Police have neutralized the active
shooter in Frankstown Township, Blair County. There is no longer
a threat to residents and visitors to this area from this
individual,” the Blair County Emergency Management Agency said
on its Facebook page.
The shooting took place with much of the United States still
highly sensitive to gun violence one week after a gunman killed
20 school children and six adults at an elementary school in
Newtown, Connecticut.
The unidentified highway shooter killed two other men and a
woman, the Altoona Mirror reported, citing the prosecutor,
Blair County District Attorney Richard Consiglio.
One trooper was hit in his bulletproof vest and another was
hit by flying glass when the shooter fired on his car, the
Mirror said. The third trooper was injured in a crash involving
the suspect, the newspaper reported, citing Consiglio.
None of their injuries was considered life-threatening,
Consilgio told the Tribune Review.
Calls to Consiglio’s office by Reuters went unanswered.
Police said they would hold a news conference soon to release
details.
Newtown held a moment of silence on Friday in remembrance of
the children and teachers killed last week in Connecticut. The
National Rifle Association pro-gun lobby issued a statement in
response to the Newtown shooting, urging armed guards at the
nation’s schools.
(Reporting by Daniel Trotta; Editing by Sandra Maler and Alden
Bentley)
