Legislator Exchanges Gunfire With Would-be Robber In Harrisburg

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania state legislator exchanged gunfire with a would-be robber near the state Capitol in Harrisburg, city police said Wednesday.

Rep. Marty Flynn and another lawmaker were walking to their residence after a late dinner with other legislators when two males accosted them and demanded their wallets just before 11 p.m. Tuesday, police said.

Flynn is a former Lackawanna County prison guard who is licensed to carry a handgun. He drew his pistol and fired during the attempted holdup.

At least one of the two would-be robbers was armed, police said, but neither Flynn nor the other lawmaker, Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, was injured. It remained unclear who fired first and how many shots were fired.

Harrisburg police arrested four juveniles between the ages of 15 and 17 who are being prosecuted as adults, and said they recovered the gun used in the crime.

After the exchange of gunfire, the attackers and victims ran in different directions, Bill Patton, a spokesman for the House Democrats, said in a statement.

Flynn and Bizzarro returned to the residence about four blocks from the Capitol that they share when the Legislature is in session. They called 911 and Flynn turned over his weapon to police, according to the statement.

"We are used to fighting for the people in our districts every day," Flynn said in the statement. "We certainly are going to stand up for ourselves and not become victims."

Police said the investigation was continuing and planned to hold a news conference later Wednesday.

Lawmakers worked late Tuesday and another long day was anticipated Wednesday, the last scheduled session day before a new Legislature is elected on Nov. 4.