The Lebanon County coroner has identified the suspect killed in a trooper-involved shooting on Wednesday morning. Officials said Pennsylvania troopers responded to a home in the first block of Gable Drive in Jackson Township around 6 a.m. on Wednesday to serve a warrant.Public Information Officer Trooper Ethan Brownback said the warrant was in relation to a child sexual abuse material investigation. Confrontation leads to open fire, police sayWhen troopers entered the home on Jan. 28 to serve the warrant, Brownback said they were confronted by the suspect, identified as John McDowell, 47. The confrontation led troopers to open fire, according to Brownback.Authorities said McDowell was pronounced dead at the scene. Police did not disclose whether McDowell had a weapon or specify his actions that prompted their response.The cause and manner of death are pending the results of the autopsy and the police investigation.Officials confirmed no troopers were hurt in the incident. A stretch of Gable Drive was taped off between Limestone Drive and Gloucester Alley for an extended time. The Pennsylvania State Police Major Case Team is investigating the incident with the assistance of the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General.Possessed material involving young girls, court docs sayAccording to court documents, police received a cyber tip about McDowell on June 1, 2025, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The search warrant was related to allegations that McDowell had been using the messaging app “Kik” to discuss using, having and distributing child sex abuse material over the past year, the documents stated. Investigators said some messages mentioned in the documents allege that McDowell possessed material involving young girls aged 10 to 17.During the investigation, police said they linked McDowell’s phone number to a business called “McDowell’s Pest Control” in Myerstown, confirming him as the owner through photos. According to court documents, state police went to McDowell’s residence to seize any computers, cell phones, passwords or hard drives in his possession. WGAL is working to learn more. Stay with us for updates.Video below: State troopers on scene of shooting
JACKSON TOWNSHIP, Pa. —
The Lebanon County coroner has identified the suspect killed in a trooper-involved shooting on Wednesday morning.
Officials said Pennsylvania troopers responded to a home in the first block of Gable Drive in Jackson Township around 6 a.m. on Wednesday to serve a warrant.
Public Information Officer Trooper Ethan Brownback said the warrant was in relation to a child sexual abuse material investigation.
Confrontation leads to open fire, police say
When troopers entered the home on Jan. 28 to serve the warrant, Brownback said they were confronted by the suspect, identified as John McDowell, 47.
The confrontation led troopers to open fire, according to Brownback.
Authorities said McDowell was pronounced dead at the scene. Police did not disclose whether McDowell had a weapon or specify his actions that prompted their response.
The cause and manner of death are pending the results of the autopsy and the police investigation.
Officials confirmed no troopers were hurt in the incident.
A stretch of Gable Drive was taped off between Limestone Drive and Gloucester Alley for an extended time.
The Pennsylvania State Police Major Case Team is investigating the incident with the assistance of the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General.
Possessed material involving young girls, court docs say
According to court documents, police received a cyber tip about McDowell on June 1, 2025, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The search warrant was related to allegations that McDowell had been using the messaging app “Kik” to discuss using, having and distributing child sex abuse material over the past year, the documents stated.
Investigators said some messages mentioned in the documents allege that McDowell possessed material involving young girls aged 10 to 17.
During the investigation, police said they linked McDowell’s phone number to a business called “McDowell’s Pest Control” in Myerstown, confirming him as the owner through photos.
According to court documents, state police went to McDowell’s residence to seize any computers, cell phones, passwords or hard drives in his possession.
WGAL is working to learn more. Stay with us for updates.
Video below: State troopers on scene of shooting