Police officer responding to domestic dispute is fatally shot; suspect in custody after search

By The Associated Press

NEW FLORENCE, Pa. – A man suspected of fatally shooting a police officer responding to a domestic dispute was in custody at a hospital Sunday after a six-hour manhunt, police said.

Ray Shetler Jr., 31, was captured at about 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.

Shetler hasn’t yet been charged with a crime, but Limani said he expected a warrant to be obtained Sunday for his arrest.

Westmoreland County Sheriff Jonathan Held told The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that he had met Reed on several occasions.

“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.”

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This story has been corrected to show that Shetler is in custody, not under arrest, and a warrant will be obtained Sunday for his arrest.

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