Pa. Turnpike Shooting: Retired Trooper Shot Dead After Killing 2 in Robbery Attempt

FORT LITTLETON, PA - Three people, including the gunman, were killed in an armed robbery attempt on the Pennsylvania Turnpike by a retired state trooper, officials said.

Turnpike toll collector Danny Crouse, 55, and Ronald Heist, 72, a retired New York Police officer working for a turnpike contractor as a security guard were shot and killed when an armed suspect attempted to rob the Fort Littleton toll plaza.

"It is with great sadness that I announce we have lost one member of our turnpike family and one member of our extended turnpike family," Pennsylvania Turnpike Chairman Sean Logan said at a press conference while holding back tears.

Just before 7 a.m., the suspect, identified as Clarence Briggs, 55, of Newville, Pa. confronted two turnpike employees working at the tollbooth and displayed a handgun. Police said the suspect ordered both employees, including Crouse, to enter the turnpike office building. The suspect then attempted to tie up both workers when a struggle ensued and the suspect fled the building. Both employees were also able to flee the building.

According to police, a fare collection vehicle then arrived at the interchange when Crouse and Heist were confronted by the suspect. Heist had exited the fare collection vehicle at the time. Both Crouse and Heist were shot dead by the suspect, police said.

Briggs then began to fire shots at the vehicle and the driver of the vehicle was able to flee on foot. He drove the vehicle a short distance and began emptying the contents of the fare vehicle into his own car before police arrived. A trooper exchanged gunfire with Briggs, fatally shooting him.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

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