Suspect in Pa. trooper shooting on 'FBI Most Wanted' list

SCRANTON, Pa. -- Hours after a slain Pennsylvania State Police trooper was laid to rest, the hunt for a man charged with killing him briefly intensified late Thursday as authorities blocked roads around the home of the suspect's parents.

The Barrett Township Fire Department opened a shelter for residents in the area who were unable to get to their homes due to police activity in the rural northeastern Pennsylvania community, but shut it down not long after as police reopened the area to traffic.

Eric Frein, 31 is charged with killing Cpl. Bryon Dickson and wounding another trooper in an ambush that authorities said was likely fueled by his hatred of law enforcement. Police say he is armed and extremely dangerous, prompting the heavy police response that briefly kept residents from their homes.

"Due to the violent nature of his crimes, extreme precautionary measures are being taken," Trooper Morgan Crummy said late Thursday.

Frein was placed on the FBI's 10 most wanted list Thursday, hours after Dickson's funeral in Scranton drew thousands of law enforcement officials from around the country.

Police described Frein as a self-taught survivalist who had expressed anti-law enforcement and anti-government feelings. Frein has also been charged federally with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

Police said Frein was involved with a military simulation group from eastern Pennsylvania whose members portray soldiers from eastern Europe. His FBI most wanted posted said Frein "claims to have fought with Serbians in Africa, and he has studied Russian and Serbian languages."

At a news conference after the funeral, police said they believe Frein is hiding somewhere in the area, though they wouldn't say how they came to that conclusion. Adding Frein to the FBI's most wanted list allows the agency to use more resources to find him and to offer a $100,000 reward, in addition to a $75,000 reward offered by a private group, Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers.

"We have now made the world where he could hide a very, very small place," said Edward Hanko, special agent in charge of the FBI's Philadelphia office.

Police found Frein's abandoned SUV a couple miles from the barracks.

Police have warned the public that Frein, of Canadensis, is dangerous, saying he has talked about committing mass murder. They are urging residents to be alert and cautious, but Lt. Col. George Bivens has said he believes Frein will stay focused on a "personal battle with law enforcement."