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COOLBAUGH TWP., Pa. – Police are investigating a series of shootings in a Poconos community on Monday evening.
Four people were injured after multiple shootings at several locations in Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County.
“We’re still trying to sort out exactly what we have. There are a lot of answers that I don’t know, or can’t give for investigation at the moment,” said Chris Wagner, chief of the Pocono Mountain Regional Police, at a press conference late Monday night.
The first shots rang out just after 5 p.m. Police were called to report that several shots were fired at a vehicle in the area of Route 196, near the Tobyhanna Shopping Center, according to a press release issued by Wagner.
“As the officers began to respond to this location, in short succession, in a very rapid period of time, we started to receive other calls regarding additional shootings in the township,” Wagner said.
While police investigated, they heard rapid gunfire in the area and were then called to 5330 Ledgewood Drive, where two victims were found. A 47-year-old woman was shot in the back and a 19-year-old man was shot in the arm, Wagner said. Both injuries are believed to have been caused by a high speed bullet.
At the same time, police received another call and found a 20-year-old man in a vehicle near the intersection of Kings Way and Route 196, with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head, a declared Wagner.
Police then received a further dispatch of a vehicle accident at the intersection of Kings Way and Campbell Drive. There they found a 20 year old man in the vehicle who had been shot in the leg at another residence in the Pocono Farms East development.
Wagner said the conditions of the victims are unknown, but he knows that the woman who was shot in the back was airlifted to a trauma center, he said.
Wagner said police were questioning people of interest in the case and authorities were seeking warrants allowing them to search residences and vehicles. No charges have yet been filed, he told the press conference.
“We’re looking for multiple people, the exact number I can’t give at this point,” Wagner said.
There were several witnesses, who are also being interviewed, he said.
Police are assuming the shootings are related, according to the Monroe County Emergency Management Office.
Police have called on the local community to take shelter in place and expect increased policing activity in the area of the Route 196 Corridor, Pocono Country Place Development, and Pocono Farms East Development.
Police lifted the shelter-in-place recommendation early Tuesday morning, according to the county’s emergency management office, saying the investigation was ongoing but police did not believe the public was in imminent danger.
Residents should report any suspicious activity or information relevant to the shooting, by calling Pocono Mountain Regional Police at 570-895-2400.
Police have released the shelter for Coolbaugh Township. pic.twitter.com/VOcLyXDWv2
– Monroe County OEM (@MonroeCtyOEM) January 19, 2021
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