Overview
- Pennsylvania State Police identified the trooper as Corporal Timothy O’Connor, 40, a nearly 16-year member of Troop J who was shot during a traffic stop Sunday night in West Caln Township.
- Authorities named the driver as 32-year-old Jesse Nathan Elks, who opened fire as O’Connor approached the vehicle and then died by suicide at the scene in what investigators describe as a murder-suicide.
- Investigators say O’Connor had responded to reports of an erratic driver around 8:15 p.m. and conducted the stop near Route 10 and Michael (Compass) Road minutes later, after which radio contact ceased.
- Officials announced a public viewing on March 17 and a funeral on March 18 at St. Joseph’s Church in Downingtown, as memorials grow and flags across Pennsylvania fly at half-staff by order of Gov. Josh Shapiro.
- The Pennsylvania State Police and Chester County District Attorney’s Office are leading an active probe into Elks’ background and potential motive, which officials say remains unclear.