According to the Pennsylvania State Police at Hazleton, on June 29th, 2020, the US Marshal Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Technical Operations Group were tasked with attempting to locate and arrest a Wade Russell Meisberger, 48, from Whiteland, IN for a homicide probation violation.
The task force members executed a traffic stop of a tractor trailer believed to be transporting suspect as it entered Interstate 81 from Exit 124 in West Mahanoy Township near Frackville.
The truck stopped, the driver exited, and the passenger remained in the vehicle. The officers confirmed the passenger was the suspect they were looking for, however he refused to exit the vehicle and fled the traffic stop.
Troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police from Frackville and Hazleton became involved the pursuit that followed through many communities in Schuylkill and Luzerne Counties.
Attempts to disable to fleeing tractor trailer failed and the suspect eventually fled into Hazleton to an area near the Beech Street Hockey Rink in the city where he became stuck in a grassy area.
Officers created a perimeter around the truck and requested assistance from the Pennsylvania State Police Special Emergency Response Team.
During the 3-hour standoff, the suspect refused to surrender and intermittently fired weapons toward State Troopers.
Around 9:00pm, the suspect was shot and killed by a police officer.
The Pennsylvania State Police with assistance from the Luzerne County District Attorney's office are continuing to investigate the shooting.