Pocono News Section

Police Gun Down Pocono Man After Standoff

Police Gun Down Pocono Man After Standoff - Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 12:14PM EST

Reported by: Joe Holden
Wednesday, Aug 19, 2009 @ 12:14am EST

TOBYHANNA TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY- Police say Michael Shaffer repeatedly threatened to kill any member of the police department mid-Tuesday morning outside his home. Investigators said they absolutely took those threats seriously

Shaffer, according to a state police news release, was fatally shot after he engaged members of the Pocono Mountain Regional Police force. Police Chief Harry Lewis said Shaffer had two handguns and some rifles. Neighbors said they heard what sounded like gunshots for a couple hours Tuesday morning. The woodsy neighborhood was shut down while SWAT tried to negotiate with Shaffer,

Three unnamed officers have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a joint investigation by state police and the Monroe County District Attorney's Office. At this point, state police are classifying the incident a homicide investigation.

Calls were initially placed to 911 around 9:30 a. m. for a suicidal man inside a Forest Glen home. Police said they suspected Shaffer was using drugs.