On Sept. 12, tragedy shook many in Pennsylvania when Eric Frein, 31, allegedly opened fire on a state police barrack killing Cpl. Byron Dickson and injuring Trooper Alex Douglass. As of today, police are still tracking down Frein and have found what they believe to be a new lead.
Born in Candensis, Pa, Frein attended Pocono Mountain High School and was enrolled at East Stroudsburg University for two semesters. He was a member of his high school’s rifle team and Frein’s father describes him as “a self-taught survivalist and an excellent marksman.” Before the shooting, Frein worked as a cold war re-enactor.
On Sept. 12, around 11p.m., Frein allegedly approached the Blooming Grove, Pike County police barrack and fatally shot Cpl. Byron Dickson with a .308-caliber rifle and injured another Trooper. He was then said to have slinked off into the woods and has yet to be found.
Police have been searching homes and following a few leads given by citizens. Both Pocono Mountain and Wallenpaupack schools have been closed due to safety concerns, and other neighboring schools have tightened up on security measures in the last week. Police have asked that all people living in the area lock their doors and keep their backyards lighted.
Since the shooting, officials have been scouring the woods looking for any trace of Frein. There is currently a $100,000.00 reward offered by the FBI for any information leading to one Frein, who is now one of the top 10 most wanted fugitives. He is labeled to be armed and extremely dangerous.
Officials claim to have recovered a few items of Freins’ including a gun found on Sept. 21. Frein is said to have extensive knowledge of the area and has often camped out in rugged terrain. There have been reports of gunfire being heard in the woods and near Frein’s parents home. Authorities are unsure if Frein plans to execute another attack.
Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner, Frank Noonan, stated that Frein, “Has very strong feelings about law enforcement and seems to be very angry with a lot of things that go on in our society.”
