NEW FLORENCE, Pa. (AP) — A man suspected of fatally shooting a police officer responding to a domestic dispute was in custody at a Pennsylvania hospital Sunday after a six-hour manhunt, police said.
Ray Shetler Jr., 31, was captured around 3:15 a.m. while walking near a power plant outside New Florence, about 60 miles east of Pittsburgh.
Police believe Shetler shot St. Clair Township Officer Lloyd Reed on Saturday night after officers were called to the domestic situation in New Florence. Reed, who had been an officer for more than 20 years, was pronounced dead at a hospital.
A female involved in the domestic dispute suffered minor injuries, police said.
Shetler was being treated for a gunshot wound to the right shoulder and was under state police guard at a hospital, Trooper Stephen Limani said. Limani said he expected a warrant to be obtained Sunday for Shetler's arrest.
Shetler will be charged with homicide and two other counts related to the domestic situation, Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck told The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Reed arrived at the scene and identified himself as a police officer before shots were fired, Peck said.
"This is another horrible tragedy that brings to light how difficult a police officer's job can be on a daily basis," Peck said.
County Sheriff Jonathan Held told the newspaper he had met Reed several times.
"He was a dedicated officer, down to earth," Held said. "He really cared for the community. It's hard when it hits your own backyard. It really is tough. But, unfortunately, it seems to be happening more and more today."
Reed worked at the St. Clair department — which employs all part-time officers — for about five years.
