Erie County District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz, Dec. 19, 2025. Photo by Joel Natalie, TalkErie.com.
At a news conference Friday morning, Erie County District Attorney announced that a criminal complaint was filed against Pennsylvania State Parole Officer Kevin Seelinger.
The charges include criminal homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person in the shooting of Marchello Woodard in the City of Erie on July 2, 2025 during a compliance check. Seelinger turned himself in to authorities this morning and is being held without bail.
FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY:
Erie County District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz formally announced charges in connection with the officer-involved shooting of Marchello Woodard that occurred on July 2, 2025, involving a parole agent employed by the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole.
She made the following statement:
This morning a criminal complaint was signed by Magisterial District Judge Paul Bizzaro charging Pennsylvania State Parole Agent Kevin Seelinger with one count of criminal homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person.
Seelinger turned himself in to the Pennsylvania State Police and is currently being held without bail.
I want to recognize the many individuals in the community who have waited patiently for a determination in this matter. Such patience reflects and understanding of the care and deliberation required when reviewing an incident of this gravity.
I want to acknowledge the family of Marchello Woodard, the victim. We reached out to notify them of this decision prior to today’s announcement. My office and I extend our condolences to them, and we recognize the profound loss that they have suffered.
I would like to expressly thank the Pennsylvania State Police for their professionalism, diligence, and assistance in conducting a thorough and objective investigation.
Their work was essential in ensuring that evidence was collected, preserved and presented in a manner that allowed for an independent prosecutorial review by this office.
This case will now proceed through the judicial process; a process that may take time. It will be governed by the established rules of criminal procedure and ultimately resolved in a courtroom where the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Because this matter is now the subject of active criminal litigation, my office will not make further public statements regarding evidence, the credibility of witnesses, or the merits of the case.
This restraint is required by the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct governing pre-trial publicity by prosecutors, which exist to safeguard the integrity of the proceedings and the rights of all parties involved.
The district attorney’s office remains committed to these ethical and legal responsibilities, and to ensuring that this matter is resolved through a fair and impartial judicial proceeding.
Contact ehirz@eriecountypa.gov with further questions.
STATEMENT FROM FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE, LODGE 92:
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 92 executive director Tom Wines today issued the following statement:
“The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 92 is extremely disappointed that the district attorney chose to file criminal charges against our member and demonstrates an extraordinary failure of judgment by the district attorney’s office. It’s important to be clear that these charges are allegations, not facts. Like every individual in this country, our member is entitled to the presumption of innocence and due process under the law.
“Our member has served the public and this community in a difficult and dangerous profession, and we continue to stand firmly behind him as the legal process moves forward. We have full confidence that the facts surrounding this incident will be thoroughly examined through the judicial system and not tried in the court of public opinion.
“Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Mr. Woodard during this incredibly difficult time. Any loss of life is tragic, and we recognize the pain that this incident has caused.
“Out of respect for the ongoing legal proceedings, we will not be commenting any further.”
STATEMENT FROM MAYOR-ELECT DARIA DEVLIN:
“Today’s decision by Erie County’s District Attorney in the case of Marchello Woodard reflects the seriousness of this moment and the clear call from our community for accountability, transparency, and action. While no decision can ease the unbearable pain felt by Marchello’s loved ones, I hope it finally brings Marchello’s family some closure and the ability to begin to heal.
I thank the District Attorney for her work to finally arrive at this moment. While I do not have authority over this case or control over what happens next, I do have a responsibility to the citizens of Erie — to listen, to lead with compassion and trust, and to help bring our community together.
In the months ahead, my team and I will be creating space for conversation, healing, and progress, because Erie deserves nothing less — and because justice is not defined by a single moment, but by our ongoing commitment to build an Erie where everyone feels safe, valued, and heard.
To the Woodards and those closest to Marchello, I see you, and I stand with you. While I know this can’t bring Marchello back, I hope it can and does provide a moment of closure.
To those who never stopped calling for justice and never allowed the community’s focus to stray from the tragedy of Marchello’s death, thank you for your dedication and your unyielding belief in the power of the public’s voice.
To our Erie community, we still have work to do, and I call on every neighbor, friend, member of this city to come together, listen, and lift each other up.
Erie will only reach its fullest potential when every member of our community feels heard and empowered. By continuing our work toward that goal, we can and will ensure that Marchello’s death and other injustices in our community are not in vain, but instead serve as a call to push us toward real progress and move Erie forward with purpose, accountability, and care. That is how our city begins to heal.”
– Mayor-Elect Daria Devlin