Trending Now - Trooper Killed in West Caln Township Traffic Stop Incident
WHO:
The shooter has been identified as Jesse Nathan Elks, age 32, from Honey Brook, Pennsylvania.
Corporal Timothy O'Connor was 40 years old at the time of his death.
Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens stated, "We lost a dear member of our family tonight, a hero."
Chester County District Attorney Chris de Barrena-Sarobe confirmed the driver was a 32-year-old man from Chester County, but did not release his identity.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro stated, "I am profoundly saddened to announce that tonight, Pennsylvania State Police family lost a son, lost a hero, and lost a dedicated public servant."
Chester County District Attorney Chris de Barrena-Sarobe said, "Our community is shattered."
Pennsylvania State Police Corporal Timothy O'Connor
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro
Chester County Commissioner Eric Roe
Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens
Chester County District Attorney Chris de Barrena-Sarobe
The unidentified 32-year-old male driver from Chester County
WHAT:
O'Connor was assigned to Troop J, Embreeville Station, and enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in September 2010 as a member of the 131st cadet class.
O'Connor was promoted to corporal in July 2022 and had previously served in the Criminal Investigation Unit.
O'Connor became the 105th member of the Pennsylvania State Police to die in the line of duty.
The shooter exited the vehicle and subsequently died by suicide with a pistol after shooting O'Connor.
O'Connor was dispatched to respond to a call for an erratic driver and reported pulling over the vehicle shortly after 8:15 p.m.
Governor Shapiro spoke with O'Connor's family after the shooting.
Lt. Col. George Bivens confirmed that O'Connor was shot about 10 minutes after pulling over the driver.
The Chester County DA's Office and Pennsylvania State Police are conducting a joint investigation into the shooting.
Corporal Timothy O'Connor was shot and killed during a traffic stop.
O'Connor was responding to a call about an erratic driver.
The driver shot O'Connor and subsequently died by suicide.
O'Connor enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in 2010.
O'Connor leaves behind a wife and a young daughter.
WHERE:
The shooting occurred in West Caln Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
The traffic stop took place near Compass and Michael roads.
WHEN:
The shooting occurred on March 8th, 2026, shortly after 9 p.m.
O'Connor made a radio call indicating the traffic stop at around 8:15 p.m. on March 8th, 2026.
Governor Shapiro was at Paoli Hospital on March 5th, 2026, with O'Connor’s wife, Casey, and his parents.
The shooting occurred on Sunday, March 5th, 2026, shortly after 9 p.m.
The call for the erratic driver was received at around 8:15 p.m. on March 5th, 2026.
WHY:
The shooting occurred while O'Connor was conducting a traffic stop on an erratic driver.
HOW:
The incident has been described as a murder-suicide by investigators.
O'Connor did not respond to radio calls after pulling over the vehicle, prompting other troopers to check on him, leading to the discovery of the situation.
O'Connor was shot while approaching the driver's side of the car during the traffic stop.
O'Connor approached the driver's side of the vehicle when he was shot.
(UPDATED March 9, 2026 23:06 UTC)
The shooter has been identified as 32-year-old Jesse Nathan Elks from Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, following a tragic incident that occurred on March 8, 2026, shortly after 9 p.m. Corporal Timothy O'Connor, who was 40 years old and had been with the Pennsylvania State Police since September 2010, made a radio call about a traffic stop at around 8:15 p.m. before he became the 105th member of the force to die in the line of duty, with investigators describing the incident as a murder-suicide.
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(UPDATED March 9, 2026 15:12 UTC)
Tragedy struck last night when Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens announced the loss of a hero, Officer O'Connor, who was shot while responding to a call about an erratic driver. The shooter, a 32-year-old man from Chester County, exited his vehicle and died by suicide with a pistol after the incident, which occurred shortly after 8:15 p.m. When O'Connor failed to respond to radio calls, fellow troopers checked on him and discovered the heartbreaking scene.
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(UPDATED March 9, 2026 09:06 UTC)
Tragedy struck Pennsylvania as Governor Josh Shapiro announced the loss of a hero and dedicated public servant, Officer O'Connor, who was shot during a traffic stop last week. Shapiro, who visited O'Connor's family at Paoli Hospital, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, while Chester County District Attorney Chris de Barrena-Sarobe described the community as shattered. The Pennsylvania State Police and the Chester County DA's Office are now conducting a joint investigation into the shooting, which occurred shortly after O'Connor approached the driver's side of the vehicle.
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(UPDATED March 9, 2026 07:18 UTC)
Tragedy struck in West Caln Township, Pennsylvania, on Sunday night when Corporal Timothy O'Connor was shot and killed during a traffic stop while responding to a call about an erratic driver. The unidentified 32-year-old male driver shot O'Connor before taking his own life, leaving behind a wife and a young daughter. O'Connor had been with the Pennsylvania State Police since 2010, and the incident unfolded near Compass and Michael roads shortly after 9 p.m.