HAZLE TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— A road is shut down and a police investigation is underway at an auto center parking lot near 22nd and Church Streets where police say they shot and killed a wanted man while trying to arrest him.
Trooper Anthony Petroski told Eyewitness News that members of the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force attempted to arrest a man wanted by the ATF on gun and drug charges around 12:40 p.m. at the 22nd Street Auto Center.
While attempting to take the suspect into custody, officials said the wanted man was able to free his arm and draw a gun he was carrying from his waistband. Troopers tell Eyewitness news the man was able to fire a round from the gun.
In the video box below, lead I-Team reporter Andy Mehalshick was live at the scene just before 2:00 p.m. and spoke with Trooper Petroski who gave an update on the case:
State troopers said a member from the task force then shot the suspect.
Trooper Petroski says the task members on the scene provided medical assistance until EMS arrived to transport the man to a hospital.
The man was later pronounced dead at the Lehigh Valley Hospital Hazleton.
Ron Minnick, the brother of the man who owns the garage, said he was in town when he heard about the shooting.
“Well I just heard from a friend of ours called me asking me if my brother is okay. He heard there was a shooting in his garage. I happened to be in town, I came right down here. They wouldn’t let me into the scene. Someone was shot, there was a warrant for [the] gentleman’s arrest. He pulled a gun I believe and I guess police had to take action,” explained Minnick.
Rich Wienches of Hazleton was at the Rite Aid across the street from the garage at the time of the struggle.
Eyewitness News reporter Andy Mehalshick asked Wienches what he thought of this happening in broad daylight.
“There’s a change taking place in Hazleton and I’m not sure if it’s for the better,” Wienches told Eyewitness News.
State police have shut down West 22nd Street in both directions at SR 309. SR 309 is back open in both directions.
Trooper Petroski said his department will release more information to the public at a later time.
Eyewitness News will update this article as more information is released.