By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
- • A Pennsylvania State Police corporal was fatally shot Sunday night during a traffic stop in West Caln Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
- • Corporal Timothy O’Connor pulled over a vehicle after a report of erratic driving when the driver opened fire as he approached the car.
- • The suspect then exited the vehicle and fatally shot himself, according to authorities.
- • O’Connor was taken to a hospital where he died; he had served with the state police for approximately 15 years and is survived by his wife and young daughter.
- • A joint investigation is underway by state police and Chester County authorities.
WEST CALN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A Pennsylvania State Police corporal was shot and killed Sunday night during a traffic stop in Chester County, authorities said.
Corporal Timothy O’Connor, a 15-year veteran of the state police, stopped a vehicle shortly after 8 p.m. in response to a report of an erratic driver near Compass Road and Michael Road. As O’Connor approached the driver’s side of the vehicle, the driver opened fire, striking him, Pennsylvania officials said.
Troopers and emergency personnel responding to the stop found O’Connor with fatal injuries and transported him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The suspect then exited the vehicle, walked a short distance and fatally shot himself with a handgun, authorities said.
O’Connor is survived by his wife and young daughter. Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered flags at state facilities to fly at half-staff in his honor and described the loss as a profound blow to the state police family.
Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said his office is assisting with the investigation alongside the Pennsylvania State Police major case unit. Officials have identified the shooter as a 32-year-old man from Chester County but have not released his name pending further inquiry.
The investigation remains active as authorities work to determine additional details surrounding the incident.