DA: 'One-man violent crime spree' suspect shot by police after deadly double shooting, arson in N.J.
WYOMISSING, Pa. - Pennsylvania State Police and the Berks County District Attorney's Office are investigating a police shooting that resulted in the death of a suspect.
Officials held a press conference on Friday afternoon to release details of the investigation.
According to authorities, on Thursday around 6:30 p.m., Pennsylvania State Troopers were alerted of a 53-year-old double homicide suspect from Philadelphia who was believed to be in the Berks County area.
Police say the suspect was wanted in connection with arson and double homicide that occurred on Monday in Gloucester City, New Jersey.
The suspect was also linked to a shooting in Philadelphia on Thursday afternoon, in which he is accused of approaching two people on a porch before firing a weapon, police say.
Surveillance video captured the suspect and a car's license plate, leading to an alert throughout the area.
The suspect's vehicle was tracked to Berks County, where local authorities attempted to pull him over in Wyomissing Borough.
Police say they engaged the suspect in a short pursuit before the suspect fled to the backyard of a residence on the 900 block of Spring Street, where his vehicle became disabled.
Pennsylvania State Police and local law enforcement officers verbally commanded the suspect, but he did not cooperate, according to officials.
Police say the suspect had a rifle across his chest and West Reading and Wyomissing police officers discharged their weapons.
The Berks County Coroner's Office pronounced the suspect dead on scene.
As per state and department policy, the police officers involved in the shooting are on administrative leave pending an investigation.
The Berks County District Attorney said the "armed and dangerous suspect" was on a "one-man violent crime spree."
Police have not released the name of the suspect in this case, but authorities in New Jersey released the arson and double homicide suspect's name as Vaughn Perkins.
No additional details were released.