MCSHERRYSTOWN, Pa. — A man is dead and an abducted child in Adams County was safely located, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
On March 20 at 9:45 a.m., the McSherrystown Police Department was dispatched to the 600 block of North Street in McSherrystown Borough for a reported child abduction involving a firearm.
According to police, James Lee Kopp Jr., 53, from McSherrystown abducted a 12-year-old at gunpoint from her home and fled the scene. A "Be On The Lookout" alert was immediately broadcasted to local law enforcement agencies in the area and an Amber Alert process was initiated, according to troopers.
Within minutes, a Conewago police officer spotted Kopp's vehicle and a police chase began with the assistance of Pennsylvania State Police- Gettysburg.
The pursuit lasted for approximately two miles before Kopp traveled off the road and into a field along the 1300 block of Littlestown Road where his car became disabled.
Kopp then reportedly grabbed his firearm and shot himself inside his car. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to troopers.
According to online court documents, Kopp was charged on March 7, 2024, with multiple charges including rape of a child, statutory sexual assault, aggravated incident assault, corruption of minors and unlawful contact with a minor - sexual offenses. He posted bail on March 13.