Man acquitted in officer’s death details injuries from fight with deputies after arrest

GREENSBURG, Pa. — Friday was the first time Ray Shetler was heard and seen in person since he was acquitted of killing police officer Lloyd Reed in 2018.

Shetler, the man acquitted in the 2015 killing of St. Clair Township police officer Lloyd Reed, was taken into police custody Tuesday after getting into a fight with Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputies and state troopers.

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Shetler, 37, was taken into custody before midnight at a mobile home near Seward, Sheriff James Albert said.

“We believe he was on methamphetamine and he put up a struggle. One of my deputies was injured as they took him into custody when he refused to surrender, and Shetler was also injured.”

The deputy suffered multiple injuries and is expected to recover. Shetler also suffered multiple injuries and broken facial bones, including a fractured eye socket.

Both the deputy and Shetler were taken to hospitals for treatment. Shetler was taken to another hospital for surgery.

“Mr. Shetler has failed testing when it comes to probation and parole he’s facing, and failed to comply with requests from the officers who oversee his release from prison,” said Trooper Steve Limani.

Shetler was sentenced to time served and five years’ probation after being convicted of theft and receiving stolen property in the 2015 case in which he shot and killed Officer Reed. He contended he did not know Reed was a police officer when gunfire was exchanged.

He asserted on his way back to jail on Friday that the troopers and deputies who arrested him beat him for revenge.

“That’s exactly what it is, because they’re all screaming, ‘That was for Reed, that was for Reed,’ and Mr. Reed has nothing to do with this case right now and they brought him into this, why?,” Shetler said.

Both the sheriff and state police responded to his statement, saying normal protocol was followed, Shetler chose not to comply with law enforcement and was immediately combative.

The sheriff told us the only sheriff’s deputy who assisted inside was hurt when Shetler allegedly head-butted him and threw him through a door.

He said his deputy may be out of work for months due to his injury.

Meanwhile, Shetler’s attorney argued to have his bond reduced, saying he’s not a flight risk and was found in the same area he lives in.

He said Shetler wasn’t getting the medical care he needs in prison.

“They had to take a Taser and cut it out of my eye ... putting a taser gun to my face and squeezing the trigger, they beat my skull in. They got seven staples holding my skull back together,” Shetler said.

Ultimately, Shetler’s preliminary hearing was continued because the commonwealth said the deputy who was hurt in the scuffle isn’t medically cleared to testify.

“The commonwealth, they just need more time to figure out what lie to tell next,” Shetler said.

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