GEESEYTOWN - The state troopers who shot and killed Jeffrey Lee Michael, who murdered three people Friday, were justified in killing him, the Blair County District Attorney's Office said Saturday.
The ruling came after a review of the available evidence, Chief Deputy District Attorney Wade Kagarise said.
Michael killed Kimberly A. Scott, 58, of Duncansville, Kenneth Lynn, 60, of Hollidaysburg, and William Rhodes Jr., 38, also of Hollidaysburg, state police at Hollidaysburg said.
"This office wishes to express [its] sincere condolences to the families of the victims and to the entire Geeseytown community for this tragic occurrence," the District Attorney's Office said in a news release. "We ask all of Blair County to keep these individuals in their prayers."
Scott was killed at Juniata Valley Gospel Church where she was decorating for a Christmas party. Lynn was fatally shot at his home, and Rhodes was killed after Michael intentionally rammed his pickup truck into Rhodes' truck and then shot him to death.
Rhodes died from both the shooting and blunt force trauma suffered in the crash, police said.
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Michael shot at and hit two state police cars as troopers drove by him on Juniata Valley Road. Troopers turned around in pursuit. Michael collided head-on with a third police car and was hit from behind by one of the pursuing police cars, police said.
Michael left his truck and opened fire on three troopers. They returned fire, killing him.
The three troopers were injured by either the shooting or the vehicle crash. They were released Friday from Altoona Regional.
Mirror Staff Writer Greg Bock is at 946-7458. Staff Writer Ryan Brown is at 946-7457.
