Motive sought in Pa. slayings of 3; gunman killed

Emergency responders block Juniata Valley Road on Friday, Dec. 21, 2012 in Geeseytown, Pa. / AP Photo/Keith Srakocic

HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. The shooting of a man who went on a rampage in central Pennsylvania, killing two neighbors and a third person before wounding three state troopers during a gunbattle, was a justifiable homicide, authorities ruled Saturday.

Investigators are still trying to figure out what set off the gunman, identified as 44-year-old Jeffrey Lee Michael of Geeseytown, a tiny village about 70 miles west of Harrisburg, the state capital.

"We're not sure of the motive. We'll be trying to find out by talking to people who knew him, see if he gave any indication," Blair County District Attorney Richard Consiglio said of the violence, which began Friday morning in Frankstown Township and spanned five separate crime scenes across a 1.5-mile area.

Authorities said Michael knew his two males victims, who were related to each other, but investigators do not yet know whether he knew the third, a woman who was slain while decorating a church hall for a children's Christmas party.

• Pennsylvania Shooting Update: Two killed at church, one on roadway

Michael fired into the Juniata Valley Gospel Church from outside, then entered the church and fired again, killing Kimberly Scott, 58, of Duncansville, State Police Sgt. Gregory Bernard said.

Either shortly before or after that, Kenneth Lynn, 60, a neighbor of Michael's, was shot in the driveway of his home, authorities said.

Bernard said Michael drove his pickup truck along rural Juniata Valley Road and intentionally rammed another pickup driven by Lynn's son-in-law, 38-year-old William Rhodes Jr. Rhodes died of blunt force trauma from the crash and from a gunshot wound, police said.

Michael was leaving the area in his truck when he saw two state police cars heading his way, and he opened fire as he was passing them, police said. One round went through the windshield of one of the patrol cars, and a trooper was injured in the face by flying glass and possibly a graze from the bullet, they said.

Both troopers turned around and pursued the suspect, and a third patrol car arrived and tried to block the path of the pickup, which rammed the car head-on, injuring the trooper driving, police said. One of the other patrol cars then rammed the back of the suspect's truck, and a gunfight with the first two troopers ensued. One was hit in the chest and wrist.

"His body armor saved his life," Bernard said.

The suspect was struck by police gunfire and was pronounced dead at the scene. The three troopers were treated at a hospital but are expected to be all right, authorities said.

The district attorney's office classified Michael's death as a justifiable homicide and said it would not pursue criminal charges against the troopers.

Police have not released information about the weapon or weapons used by Michael. Bernard said police had had some contact with Michael but declined to go into detail.

"We've had other incidents, but nothing to this extent," the sergeant said. Online court records show no criminal record for him in Pennsylvania or in the state's federal courts.

[rememberwhatbushdid]

Let's not lose focus, or allow the NRA to shift the focus, from what we DO KNOW FOR SURE. MORE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED BY GUNS. Time to begin the long process of changing from a gun culture to a culture of reason. Time to bring down the influence of the NRA and their money-making co-conspirators who sell these weapons.

[askagain]

Lets not lose sight of the need to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and mentally ill people. A good start is to enforce the 20,000 or so gun laws already on the books. Of course, nothing will convince the anti-gun people that they are barking up the wrong tree.

[get_down]

"The suspect was struck by police gunfire and was pronounced dead at the scene." There was the information I was looking for right after I started reading this article. I call it the "perfect ending". Kudos to the trooper who shot him dead. "His motive" is really irrelevant now.

[NBGerry]

I'm confused where the "reporter" makes it sound like the state troopers might not have been justified in killing this nut?

[1redfish1]

Forget the schools - We need armed citizens every 100 yards across the country to stop all this crap. It would make the NRA happy and proud to lead the charge.

[Shawn_Taylor]

I worked with Jeff Michaels for at least 6 years and never had a problem with him. He was in a tractor trailer accident before taking leave about 6 months ago. He wrecked his truck and not sure if he was fired from the job or just off for an injury.

[askagain]

Does a mentally ill person need a motive to kill people?

[eroteme2]

With Mr Biden inventing new gun controls we will no longer have to worry about such goings-on as this.

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

He needed killing.

[NewsCommentrator]

A speedy recovery to the injured troopers from a dispat PA ian who had worked on the T-Pike many years ago. May they & their loved ones live through better days. Minibook>B'er-Shev'a & I salute you.