Prosecutor clears state police in toll plaza attack shooting

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- A county prosecutor is clearing state police for the fatal shooting of a retired trooper who killed two people during a botched robbery at a rural toll plaza on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in March.

Fulton County District Attorney Travis Kendall on Thursday told state police the unnamed trooper who shot Clarence Briggs to death "should be commended for his acts of extraordinary bravery in the face of extreme, lethal violence."

Kendall says Briggs fired at troopers responding to a call for help at the Fort Littleton toll plaza before a trooper killed Briggs with a single round.

Kendall says the troopers put themselves at risk by advancing and rendering first aid.

Briggs fatally shot turnpike employee Danny Crouse and private security guard Ronald Heist. He was loading money into his car when troopers arrived.