SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — A 20-year-old man died following a multi-agency police pursuit that ended with gunfire near the Scranton Expressway Sunday night, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
State police identified the man as Christian Santiago, 20.
The incident began earlier Sunday when Scranton Police investigated a burglary in which Santiago allegedly stole a .30-06 rifle from a relative’s home.
Police said Santiago later sent a family member a photograph of the rifle and ammunition. His family subsequently obtained an involuntary mental health commitment warrant.
Scranton Police attempted to stop Santiago, who allegedly fled in a black Ford Focus.
At approximately 8:37 p.m., Pennsylvania State Police located the vehicle at the Penn Can Travel Plaza in Susquehanna County.
A pursuit followed south on Interstate 81 and continued through several Lackawanna County communities.
Police pursuit ends in a fatal shooting on the North Scranton Expressway
State police said the pursuit ended near the beginning of the Scranton Expressway after troopers performed a PIT maneuver, a pursuit intervention technique used to force a fleeing vehicle to stop.
During the felony traffic stop that followed, police said Santiago displayed a rifle through the driver’s-side window and did not comply with officers’ commands.
Investigators said a gunshot was then heard from inside Santiago’s vehicle.
State police subsequently fired rounds into the vehicle.
Members of the Pennsylvania State Police Special Emergency Response Team, Scranton Police Special Operations Group and Lackawanna County SWAT Team removed Santiago from the vehicle.
He was taken to Geisinger Community Medical Center, where he later died.
Investigation will determine source of fatal shot
State police have not determined whether the gunshot that killed Santiago came from inside his vehicle or from police gunfire.
The PSP Troop R Major Case Team is investigating with assistance from Troop R Forensic Services and the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Specialist unit.
Investigators are working to determine the origin of the gunshot that caused Santiago’s fatal injury.
The investigation remains ongoing.
State police said there was no threat to the public.
Rt 11 was closed all night Monday into late Tuesday morning. The road has since reopened.