A Pennsylvania State Police corporal was shot and killed Sunday night (March 8) during a traffic stop in Chester County, Pennsylvania, in what investigators are calling a murder-suicide.
According to WPVI Action News, Corporal Timothy O'Connor, a 15-year veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police, responded to a call about an erratic driver shortly after 8 p.m. in Honey Brook. He stopped the vehicle at the intersection of Compass Road and Michael Road in West Caln Township.
O'Connor made a radio call to report the stop but did not respond to follow-up check-in calls. Officers in the area rushed to the scene and found the corporal had been fatally shot.
Investigators say the driver opened fire on O'Connor within seconds of being stopped, killing him at the scene. The driver then exited the vehicle and fatally shot himself. Authorities identified the suspect as a 32-year-old man from Chester County but have not yet released his name. Investigators are now looking into his background and possible motive.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was present at Paoli Hospital Sunday night alongside O'Connor's wife, Casey, and his parents. In a statement released by ABC News, Shapiro said, "Tonight, Pennsylvania tragically lost one of our finest when State Police Corporal Tim O'Connor was killed in the line of duty. My heart breaks for Tim and Casey's young daughter and their entire family."
Governor Shapiro has ordered flags across Pennsylvania to fly at half-staff in O'Connor's honor.
Lt. Colonel George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police briefed reporters outside Paoli Hospital, confirming the sequence of events. Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said the county is assisting with the investigation into the suspect's background and motives.
State police and county detectives are conducting a joint investigation. Compass Road between Hill and Lammey Roads remained closed as of Sunday night while investigators processed the scene.
O'Connor is survived by his wife, Casey, and a young daughter.