WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. — The Westmoreland County District Attorney filed Thursday a notice of intent to seek the death penalty for a man accused of fatally shooting a St. Clair Township police officer in November.
Ray Shetler Jr. is accused of shooting and killing St. Clair Township police officer Lloyd Reed in New Florence on Nov. 28. He remains in jail as he awaits trial on homicide charges. %
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Reed was killed while responding to a domestic violence call.
Police said Shetler fired three shots, one of which hit Reed in an area of his chest not protected by his bulletproof vest. Shetler was arrested after a six-hour manhunt.
Shelter has acknowledged shooting Reed, who arrived after Shetler's girlfriend called 911 claiming he'd assaulted her that night. But Shetler contends he didn't realize Reed was an officer and fired in self-defense after Reed fired at him first.
State police, who investigated the shooting, contend Reed identified himself clearly and fired only after Shetler refused to drop his rifle.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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