On Sept. 12, 2014, in Swiftwater, Pa., suspect Eric Matthew Frein ambushed two Pennsylvania State Troopers, shooting and killing Cpl. Byron Dickson and wounding Trooper Alex T. Douglass outside of the Blooming Grove, Pennsylvania State Police Barracks. Frein then fled into the woods, eluding detection by officers for the past six weeks. During the search for Frein, a note was found, reading;
“Friday September 12, got a shot around 11 p.m. and took it. He dropped … I took a follow up shot on his head, neck area. He was still and quiet after that. Another cop approached the one I just shot. As he went to kneel, I took a shot at him and he jumped in the door. His legs were visible and still,”
The note continues onto more after the shooting;
“I ran back to the jeep. I made maybe half a mile … and hit a road block. I didn’t expect one so soon. It was only 15 to 20 minutes.”
“did a k turn a quarter mile from them and pulled into a development I knew had unfinished access road. Hearing helos [helicopters], I just used my marker lights, missed the trail around a runoff pool and drove straight into it. Disaster. Made half attempt to stash AK and ran.”
Frein is described as a self-made survivalist, and an expert marksman. Information taken from his computer leads law enforcement to believe that he has been planning and organizing his attack for several months, and possibly up to or exceeding two years.
On September 29, authorities came across a camp that had recently been evacuated that contained explosives, ammunition, food, clothing, and a water bottle with Freins’ DNA on it. The search continues for the suspect, sometimes exceeding more than 1000 officers. As well as involving those officers, the search is using a substantial amount of money, accumulating several million dollars from Pennsylvania taxpayers.
The FBI has labeled Frein as a Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitive, and authorities have asked that any tips be called in to 866-326-7256.