(CNN) — Two Pennsylvania State Police troopers shot late Friday, one fatally, were ambushed just outside the police barracks in Blooming Grove, Pike County, State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan told reporters.
Cpl. Bryon K. Dickson was killed and Trooper Alex T. Douglass was in stable but critical condition, Noonan said Saturday.
The shooting happened at 10:50 p.m. Friday in a rural, wooded area.
“It cuts us to the core that such an event could happen,” Noonan said. “[They] really had no chance to defend themselves. It’s a cowardly attack.”
Dickson and Douglass were young troopers with families. Dickson previously served at the Philadelphia barracks, according to Noonan.
“Every attack on an officer of the law is an attack on our state, our country and civilized society,” Gov. Tom Corbett said in a statement. Corbett ordered that all state flags in the Capitol complex and at commonwealth facilities in Pike County fly at half-staff to honor Dickson.
Investigators were interviewing a “person of interest” Saturday morning, but no arrests had been made, spokeswoman Trooper Connie Devens said.
Noonan stressed that police would be interviewing “hundreds” of people.
Earlier, Noonan said police had no description of the shooter or any information about the motive.
“This attack seems to be directed particularly at the Pennsylvania State Police,” Noonan said, but warned that residents should be careful.
“Until we have this person in custody, obviously everyone should be cautious and aware that there is a dangerous criminal on the loose,” he said.
Police from New York, New Jersey and throughout the Northeast are assisting in the search, Noonan said.
Pennsylvania State Police said it was prepared to offer a reward up to $20,000 for information that would help lead to the arrest and conviction of an individual responsible for the shooting.
