Warrant issued for New Florence man acquitted in 2015 police officer killing

NEW FLORENCE, Pa. — A Westmoreland County judge issued an arrest warrant Friday for a New Florence man who was acquitted in the 2015 killing of a St. Clair Township police officer, according to our news partners at the Tribune Review.

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Common Pleas Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio signed the paperwork for the arrest of Ray A. Shetler Jr., 37, after he failed to appear for a court hearing. Prosecutors contend he violated terms of his probation sentence for theft and receiving stolen property convictions related to the homicide case.

Reed, a part-time officer, was first on the scene at Shetler’s Ligonier Street home in neighboring New Florence after his live-in girlfriend called 911 for help. Witnesses said Reed came upon Shetler, who was holding a rifle, and demanded that he drop the weapon. Shetler refused to comply, and Reed fired six times.

Following a six-day trial in 2018, jurors found Shetler not guilty of first- and third-degree murder for the Nov. 28, 2015, shooting death of officer Lloyd Reed, 54, of Hollsopple, Somerset County, as he responded to a domestic violence call.

Shetler fired three rounds from the rifle, one of which struck Reed under his left arm and just beyond his bullet-proof vest.

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