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Manhunt on for trooper shooting suspect

State police are searching for Eric Matthew Frein, 31, of Canadensis, Monroe County, suspected of fatally shooting a state trooper and wounding another at the Blooming Grove state police barracks in Pike County late Friday night.

Frein, described as 6 feet, one inch tall, weighing 165 pounds, and with blue eyes and dark brown hair, is "armed and extremely dangerous," state Police Commissioner Frank Noonan said at a news conference Tuesday.He said Frein is believed to still have the .308 rifle, with a scope, that was used in the shootings, and at least one other weapon.Frein is a well-trained survivalist, and for years had talked to friends and posted to social media sites about killing law enforcement officers and committing mass acts of murder, Noonan said."He has expressed anti-government leanings in the past, especially in regard to law enforcement," he said.Police believe he acted alone."We do not know where he is right now," Noonan said.Police have yet to determine Frein's reason for allegedly shooting the troopers, shooting to death Cpl. Bryon Dickson and wounding trooper Alex Douglass."He seems to be very angry about a lot of things going on in society," Noonan said.Frein is charged with first-degree murder, criminal attempt of first-degree murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer, criminal attempt to commit homicide of law enforcement officers, assault of a law enforcement officer, discharge of a firearm into an occupied building, possessing instruments of a crime, and recklessly endangering another person.The identification of Frein happened Monday after a local man was walking his dog in the woods about two miles from the barracks, spotted a vehicle slightly submerged in a retention pond and called 911 to report a suspicious vehicle.Police found evidence, including shell casings that match those found at the barracks, in the vehicle.They also found a Social Security card, a Game Commission range permit, camouflage face paint, a flashlight, a black hooded sweatshirts, two empty rifle cases, a military gear and information about Frein's address, 308 Seneca Lane, where he lives with his parents.Police searched the home, finding in his room spent casings that matched the type found at the Blooming Grove barracks. Tool markings on the casings found both at Frein's home and at the barracks revealed they were fired from the same gun.Lt. Col. George Bivens said there is an intensive manhunt under way. Detailed information about Frein has been distributed to law enforcement agencies across the nation. More than 200 officers are searching the Pike County area, he said."We continue to receive tips, and we are following up on every one. I'm confident that we will locate this individual," he said.Police believe Frein has no law enforcement or military background, Noonan said. He does have a minor misdemeanor from another state on his record.Bivens encouraged people to report any suspicious activity.Noonan said that to identify the suspect ahead of Dickson's funeral on Thursday was gratifying.Dickson, 38, who began his career seven years ago, died from his wounds. Douglass, who has been a trooper for nine years, is recovering from his injuries.The men were shot as Dickson was leaving the barracks and Douglass was entering it during a shift change at 10:50 p.m. Friday. the shooter fired on the troopers with a .308 caliber rifle from a densely wooded area near the barracks.Parts of Route 402 were blocked to the public overnight Monday into Tuesday as police continued to search the area.Bits and pieces of information emerged throughout the day Tuesday, including that police had found a Jeep registered to the suspect's father, and owned by the suspect, in a swampy area near the barracks. Evidence inside the Jeep linked the owner to the shooting, police officials said.District Judge Michael Muth of East Stroudsburg confirmed to The Associated Press that he issued a search warrant early Tuesday related to the hunt for the suspect. Muth would not release the warrant or details.Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers is offering a $75,000 reward for information leading to the shooter's arrest.Pike County District Attorney Ray Tonkins said "coordination of this matter (among various agencies) has been seamless. Now, law enforcement will move forward in the apprehension of this very dangerous individual.""This has been a monumental effort," Noonan said.He said police checked out anyone that could possibly have any information" about the shooting, and that people should not infer guilt just because troopers were talking with a person.Noonan was likely referring to an earlier alert for police to be on the lookout for a man who was described as a "person of interest." The alert appeared on several news and social media sites. He said on Saturday said that alert was never meant to be made public.Officials have called the shooter a coward, and vowed to capture him quickly."We intend to keep him on the run until we catch him," Noonan said.