Police: Troopers fatally shoot armed man after responding to domestic call

INDIANA COUNTY, Pa. — Pennsylvania State Police troopers fatally shot a suspect Monday morning after responding to a domestic disturbance call in Indiana County, police said.

According to state police spokesman John Matchik, officers were dispatched to a home on Route 56 in Brush Valley Township around midnight.

When police arrived at the house, Gary Wissinger, 55, came outside with a gun. Authorities said Wissinger waved it around and made aggressive movements toward police.

"He appeared at that time to point the handgun at the troopers. Ultimately, the troopers opened fire on the suspect, striking him," Matchik said.

Detectives said Wissinger went back inside his house after being shot by at least one state trooper.

Police then called in a SWAT team. Around 5 a.m. they entered the house and found Wissinger, a former Indiana County Sheriff’s Deputy, dead inside.

Channel 11's Dave Bondy reported that Wissinger's wife was inside the house at the time of the incident, but she was able to escape unharmed.

Dave Hebenthal lives across the street from where the shooting took place, and said he was friends with Wissinger.

"He was a good person and a good neighbor. I've never seen a conflict over there," Hebenthal said. "I wish I could have talked to him this morning. Maybe he would have listened."

The Indiana County District Attorney will also be involved in this investigation.

The troopers involved in the shooting have been put on leave, which is standard procedure.

WPXI