Holly MatkinLebanon, PA – One Lebanon police officer was murdered and two others remained hospitalized after a gunman opened fire on them as they were responding to a domestic violence call on Thursday.
The incident began at approximately 3:30 p.m. on March 31, when the Lebanon Police Department (LPD) received a report of a domestic disturbance in the 1100-block of Forest Street, WGAL reported.
Investigators said police ultimately exchanged gunfire with the 34-year-old male suspect involved in the domestic disturbance at approximately 4:24 p.m.
LPD Chief Todd Breiner confirmed the unidentified gunman is deceased, but he did not provide details regarding his exact cause of death.
Three LPD officers were shot during the gun battle, WGAL reported.
One of the officers succumbed to his wounds, city officials confirmed.
The officer’s name was not immediately released.
The second wounded officer remained hospitalized in critical but stable condition, and the third officer was listed in stable condition, WFMZ reported.
Chief Breiner said the deadly attack has been traumatizing for his department.
“Our guys are strong but we’re human and we have families and people were injured today,” he said, according to WGAL. “We’re all affected by this. And with the help of our families and every other law enforcement officer around this country, we’ll get through it.”
Pennsylvania State Attorney General Josh Shapiro released a statement extending his condolences to LPD, WGAL reported.
Shapiro said the attack serves as “a sobering reminder of the dangers our brave men and women in uniform face day after day.”
“And they keep showing up, running towards danger anyway,” he added.
Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Graf said more information about the incident will be released during a joint press conference scheduled to take place in the lobby of the Lebanon courthouse on Friday morning, WGAL reported.
Sources confirm at least one police officer was shot here in the 1100 block of Forest Street in Lebanon. It happened just before 4:30 pm this evening, the officer’s condition is unknown at this time @fox43 pic.twitter.com/9agvwKvqVw
— Chelsea Johnson (@ChelseaJOnTV) March 31, 2022
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