A Pennsylvania manhunt is underway for an "extremely dangerous" man suspected of killing a cop and wounding another in a Friday night shooting at a police barracks, NBC News reported.
Eric Matthew Frein, a 31-year-old "survivalist," had two rifles with him when he escaped into the forest after the shooting at Blooming Grove's police barracks, investigators said. A state trooper was walking to his vehicle after finishing his shift when Frein allegedly open fired with a .308-caliber rifle.
The trooper, Cpl. Bryon Dickson, was killed. Another trooper, Alex Douglass, was shot and critically wounded when he came to help Dickson. Frein immediately fled into the forest surrounding the barracks, according to NBC News.
"He is at large and he is considered armed and extremely dangerous," Police Commissioner Frank Noonan said, according to NBC. "He has been described as a survivalist. ... He has made statements about wanting to kill law enforcement officers and also about wanting to commit mass acts of murder."
On Monday police were alerted to what is believed to be Frein's jeep hidden in swamplands near the barracks. An ID belonging to the suspect was found inside the vehicle, along with empty rifle cases, shell casings and military gear.
Investigators said Frein, of Canadensis, has expressed strong anti-government sentiments and did not hide thoughts of shooting police officers.
Those who know the suspect, however, were shocked at how police described Frein, who used to participate in reenactments of historic battles.
"Definitely, he could be very critical of the government," said Jeremiah Hornbacker, who worked on film production jobs with Frein. "He voiced his opinions, had strong feelings - but nothing like, 'I'm going to out to kill people and commit mass murder,'" he told the station.
Frein's history with guns dates back to childhood, with his father teaching him how to shoot and him joining a rifle team in high school, according to a search warrant obtained by NBC News.
Frein's father, a former Army major, said his son "doesn't miss," according to the warrant.
