Man dead, troopers in stable condition after shooting in northeastern Pa.

(WBRE/WYOU) — Pennsylvania State Police Colonel Christopher L. Paris and Governor Josh Shapiro held a news conference at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton Thursday afternoon after two state troopers were ambushed and shot while responding to a call in Susquehanna County.

Col. Paris identified the troopers who were shot as Joseph Perechinsky and William Jenkins and said they are in stable condition at this time.

The investigation began just after 11:00 a.m. Thursday when the troopers responded to a welfare check where shots were reportedly fired in the area of State Route 171 in Thompson Township, Paris said. When they arrived, a man opened fire on the troopers, according to PSP.

“A coordinated response by multiple Pennsylvania State Police units and local law enforcement agencies led to the establishment of a secure perimeter around the scene. The suspect was armed with a rifle, refused to comply with commands, and was ultimately shot and killed during the incident. There is no remaining threat to the public,” troopers stated in a media release.

Paris said that additional details about the initial dispatch will be released at a later time.

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“They are very lucky to be alive. Trooper Perechinsky was able to place a tourniquet to Trooper Jenkins, and despite both of their patrol cars being riddled with bullets, a third trooper was able to get in and evacuate them and the incident evolved from there,” Paris explained.

The scene in Susquehanna County remains very active and information on the suspect will be released at a later time.

Paris said Perechinsky and Jenkins are the fifth and sixth troopers that have been shot since January of 2023, with one of those instances being fatal.

Pennsylvania State Police have not said if anyone else was injured and are expected to hold a news conference at 7:30 p.m. to provide updated information.

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