Trooper shot in Jefferson County in critical condition

BROCKWAY, Pa. — A northwestern Pennsylvania man who critically wounded a state trooper as a warrant was being served appears to have killed himself, police said Friday.

Trooper Brad Wilson, a 24-year veteran of the state police, is in critical condition at a Pittsburgh hospital, state police said. The dead man was identified as 60-year-old Kenneth Lees Sr.

Police were seeking to serve a warrant early Thursday afternoon at Lees' house in Brockway as part of an investigation into a possible methamphetamine lab.

Police said they believe Lees shot Wilson through a window and then killed himself. The investigation is ongoing.

Jefferson County District Attorney Jeff Burkett said fellow officers raced to Wilson’s aid.

“Knowing how Trooper Wilson was extricated from the scene by people who were in harm’s way was nothing less than heroic,” Burkett said.

Burkett said Wilson's brother and nephew are also both in the state police.

"Our prayers are with Trooper Wilson and his family. I wish them the best, and I would ask people everywhere to be praying for them," Burkett said.

Lees was the sole occupant of the home, but police also issued a warrant for the man's son, Kenneth Lees Jr.

Officers spotted the car of the younger Lees on Thursday evening and attempted to stop it. But Lees led them on a 20- to 25-minute chase, state police Capt. Bernard Petrovsky said.

The vehicle was disabled by strips placed across the road, and Lees tried to run away before being taken into custody, police said.

The younger Lees faces felony charges of fleeing and eluding and aggravated assault.

WPXI