Officer shot, killed during domestic call
NEW FLORENCE — A man suspected of fatally shooting a police officer who responded to a domestic dispute was charged with homicide Sunday.
State police plan a news conference today.
Online court records show Ray Shetler Jr. was charged with one count of criminal homicide. He is was under police guard at a hospital.
Police believe Shetler, 31, shot St. Clair Township Officer Lloyd Reed on Saturday night after officers were called to the dispute in New Florence. Reed, who had been an officer for more than 20 years, was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Shetler was captured around 3:15 a.m. after a six-hour manhunt while walking near a power plant outside New Florence, about 60 miles east of Pittsburgh.
A woman involved in the domestic dispute suffered minor injuries, police said.
Shetler was treated for a gunshot wound to the right shoulder, Trooper Stephen Limani said.
Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck told a newspaper that Shetler faces two other counts related to the domestic situation.
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.About 50 people gathered Sunday night in New Florence to honor Reed, the newspaper reported. Several small tea lights arranged in the shape of a cross flickered near a parked St. Clair police vehicle.Reed's funeral will be Friday at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown.County Sheriff Jonathan Held said he had met Reed several times.“He was a dedicated officer, down to earth,” Held said. “He really cared for the community.”Reed worked at the St. Clair department — which employs all part-time officers — for about five years.Gov. Tom Wolf ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on all state buildings in honor of Reed.Shetler's mother and aunt said they were shocked to learn of his alleged involvement in the shooting, saying it was out of character.
