Scranton police officer shot

Posted by Merlyn Hunt on Sunday, April 14, 2024

State Police say charges have been filed in a shooting investigation that injured a Scranton police officer.

Late Thursday evening, PSP announced charges against Jeremiah Cleveland, 19, of Mayfield.

PSP says subsequent investigations revealed that the suspect, in the company of Cleveland, was responsible for the shots fired incidents in the Hill Section and South Scranton.

Cleveland is charged with discharging a firearm into an occupied structure, carrying a firearm without a license, recklessly endangering another person and criminal use of a communication facility.

Charges against the suspected shooter are ongoing and anticipated to be filed, according to PSP.

The officer and suspect were involved in a shooting early Thursday morning in the area of Swetland Street and North Main Avenue.

The officer's injuries are considered life-threatening. The suspect's injuries are not.

According to Pennsylvania State Police (PSP):

At approximately 5 a.m. on Thursday, PSP received an assist call from the SPD for an officer-involved shooting that happened in the 500 block of Hyde Park Avenue.

At the time of the shooting, Scranton police were investigating two shootings that had occurred earlier in the evening.

During their investigation, Scranton police located a suspect and an exchange of gunfire occurred. Both a Scranton officer and an unnamed individual were shot. Both were transported to Geisinger CMC and treated for their injuries, and they are both now in critical but stable condition.

A heavy police presence was seen at Geisinger CMC, including units from the Lackawanna County Sheriff's Office and PSP.

PSP is investigating all three shootings in conjunction with the Lackawanna County District Attorney's Office. They say the shootings were targeted and gang-related.

The first two shootings occurred in the 400 block of Harrison Avenue and the 300 block of Prospect Avenue. No victims were reported in those shootings.

The officer who was shot has not been identified. Pennsylvania State Police are asking the public to respect the privacy of the family and the Scranton Police Department.

The area of the shooting is shut down as police investigate. PSP in marked and unmarked vehicles were also seen heavily searching the area, and two helicopters had been circling the area.

We flooded the city with multiple units doing aggressive patrols, trying to solicit any information with this shooting, and just making our mark in the city, letting them know we are here.

—Trooper Michael T. Carroll

Scranton police and PSP is asking anyone with any information to contact the PSP at 570-963-3156. And the Scranton police tip line, text CRIMES and enter keyword "SPD TIPS".

Although police would not say explicitly if there was a danger or no danger to the public, they are telling the public to be cautious.

We do, like we stated, know that these shootings, they were targeted for other gang members, maybe their residence or location—but you have neighbors, you have people that are walking up and down the streets, so you always have to be vigilant, and if you see anything suspicious, make sure you contact your local police department.

—Trooper Michael T. Carroll

Due to the ongoing emergency, the Scranton School District is operating on a flexible instruction virtual day following a two-hour delay. The All Saints Academy-Scranton and St. Clare/St. Paul School are closed. NEIU 19 is on a two-hour delay only for EI William St.

Multiple agencies are assisting this investigation, including the FBI, DEA, U.S. Marshall Service, Department of Homeland Security, and the Lackawanna County DA’s Office Detectives.

Many officials in the area and across the state have expressed support for the officer, including Scranton's Senior Police Chaplain Dennis Fregona D'Augostine and Governor Josh Shapiro.

READ MORE: Injured Scranton officer receives widespread community support

This is a developing story... Check back with FOX56 for updates...

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