oXGun8unnyXo's blog: "whats on my mind"

Trooper Killed, Gunman's Whereabouts Unknown

BREDINSBURG (KDKA/AP) ―

Click to enlarge

1 of 2

Pennsylvania State Trooper Paul G. Richey was killed in a shooting in Venango County

Pennsylvania State Police/KDKA

Click to enlarge

2 of 2

KDKA

Close

numSlides of totalImages

A state trooper is dead after a gunman opened fire late this morning at a home in rural Venango County.

While authorities believe the gunman may still be in the home, they have not been able to confirm the whereabouts of the suspect at this time.

Police set up roadblocks and have been searching vehicles in the area.

According to officials, the shooting happened just before noon on Bredinsburg Road in Cranberry Township near Oil City.

State police have identified the victim as Trooper Paul Richey, 40. He is a 16-year veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police force.

Meanwhile, the suspect has been identified as Michael Smith.

The shooting reportedly began when officers were called to Smith's home to check on his wife, Nancy, who had not shown up for work at an auto dealership for two days.

According to the report from state police, Trooper Richey and Trooper Jason Whitman were called to the home for a domestic incident just after 11:30 a.m.

The police report goes on to say that Trooper Richey was hit by a bullet fired from inside the home after he got out of his vehicle.

Dozens of state police cruisers were then called to the heavily wooded area where the shooting happened.

In a statement, Gov. Ed Rendell offered his condolences to the victim's family.

"A 16-year veteran of the force, Trooper Richey was struck down while carrying out his sworn duty to protect our citizens. This is a tragedy for the Pennsylvania State Police and the commonwealth. Midge and I join with Pennsylvania's citizens in extending our deepest sympathies to Trooper Richey's wife, Carrie, and their two children. The trooper's sacrifice will never be forgotten."

Trooper Richey is survived by a wife and two young children -- a nine-year-old son and a 6-year-old daughter. He is the 93rd member of the department to die in the line of duty.