6-hour manhunt nabs suspect in Pa. police officer fatal shooting

NEW FLORENCE, Pa. -- A man suspected of fatally shooting a western Pennsylvania police officer who responded to a domestic dispute has been charged with homicide.

Online court records show Ray Shetler Jr. was charged Sunday with one count of criminal homicide. He was awaiting arraignment Sunday afternoon.

Shetler, 31, was captured around 3:15 a.m. while walking near a power plant outside New Florence, about 60 miles east of Pittsburgh.

Police say Shetler shot St. Clair Township Officer Lloyd Reed after officers were called to a domestic situation in New Florence on Saturday night. Reed was pronounced dead at a hospital.

A female involved in the domestic dispute suffered minor injuries, police said.

The 31-year-old suspect was captured early Sunday after a six-hour manhunt. He was treated for a gunshot wound to the shoulder.

County Sheriff Jonathan Held told The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review he had met Reed several times.

"He was a dedicated officer, down to earth," Held said. "He really cared for the community. It's hard when it hits your own backyard. It really is tough. But, unfortunately, it seems to be happening more and more today."

Reed worked at the St. Clair department - which employs all part-time officers - for about five years.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on all state buildings in the slain officer's honor. Reed had been an officer for more than 20 years.