Scranton Police were investigating a burglary on Sunday, Sept. 7, in which Christian Santiago was suspected of stealing a .30-06 rifle from a relative’s home, troopers said.

After Santiago sent a family member a photo of the rifle and ammunition, the family member voluntarily went to police and obtained an involuntary mental health commitment warrant, according to state police.

Scranton Police tried to stop Santiago, but he fled in a black Ford Focus, troopers said.

Pennsylvania State Police located the vehicle at Penn and Travel Plaza in Susquehanna County around 8:37 p.m. The chase continued south on Interstate 81 through several Lackawanna County communities before ending near the start of the Scranton Expressway.

Troopers performed a PIT — or pursuit intervention technique — maneuver to stop Santiago’s vehicle, police said.

After the vehicle stopped, Santiago displayed a rifle from the driver’s-side window and did not follow commands, according to state police. A gunshot was then heard from inside the vehicle, prompting troopers to fire rounds into it.

Santiago was removed from the vehicle by members of the Pennsylvania State Police Special Emergency Response Team, Scranton Police Special Operations Group, and Lackawanna County SWAT Team. He was taken to Geisinger Community Medical Center, where he later died.

The PSP Major Case Team, with help from the Troop R Forensic Services and Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Specialist teams, is investigating the origin of the gunshot that caused Santiago’s fatal injury.

There is no threat to the public, troopers said.

Details about Christian Santiago’s life were not immediately available. His loved ones are invited to share information, memories or tributes, funeral or fundraiser details, and photos with Daily Voice by emailing [email protected].


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