Tractor involved in pursuit and standoff in Hazleton. WOLF-TV FOX 56 picture
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HAZLETON — A 48-year-old man from Indiana reportedly wanted in Indiana on a probation violation was fatally shot by state police after a several hour standoff that began with a pursuit involving a tractor.
State police at Hazleton in a news release issued early Tuesday morning stated the man, whose name was not released, died from a gunshot wound after he discharged several rounds from firearms at troopers.
The fatal shooting happened near the Beech Street Hockey Park in Hazleton at about 9 p.m. Monday.
According to the news release:
U.S. Marshals and the state police Technical Operations Group were attempting to locate and arrest the man from Whiteland, Ind., for a homicide probation violation.
The man was a passenger in a tractor trailer that stopped for authorities on Interstate 81 near Exit 124 in Schuylkill County.
State police said the driver of the tractor exited and the man refused to exit.
The man initiated a pursuit spanning several miles into Hazleton.
Attempts were unsuccessful in disabling the tractor during the pursuit.
The man drove the tractor onto Beech Street and became stuck in a grassy area near the skating rink.
A perimeter was set up around the tractor with the state police Special Emergency Response Team.
During a three-hour standoff, the man refused to surrender and fired weapons from the tractor at troopers.
Members of the SERT team responded by fatally shooting the man.
State police said the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office is assisting in the investigation.