2 troopers wounded in robbery investigation; suspect killed

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Sunday, August 20, 2017
2 troopers wounded in robbery investigation; suspect killed
2 troopers wounded in robbery investigation; suspect killed. Walter Perez reports during Action News at 11 p.m. on August 19, 2017.

FAIRCHANCE, Pa. -- Pennsylvania State Police say a state trooper was critically injured when he was shot by a suspect in a robbery investigation before officers returned fire killing the shooter.

A second trooper also was shot by the suspect Friday night outside a grocery store in Fairchance, south of Pittsburgh. The officer was treated at a hospital and released.

The suspect was identified as 26-year-old Clarence Belsar III. District Attorney Richard Bower said Belsar had a felony criminal record.

Authorities said the troopers had arranged a meeting via Facebook with a person selling a video game console they suspected had been taken in some robberies. They said the troopers met Belsar, identified themselves as officers and he pulled a gun on them.

The trooper who remained hospitalized Saturday is expected to recover.

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