Eric Frein Described Killing Trooper in Handwritten Letter: Police - East Idaho News
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Eric Frein Described Killing Trooper in Handwritten Letter: Police

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PAStatePoliceFBI 100814 EricFrein?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1412802592926Pennsylvania State Police/FBI(CANADENSIS, Pa.) — Accused cop killer Eric Frein described in disturbing detail what it was like when he allegedly shot two state troopers, killing one and injuring another, in a handwritten note found by a police dragnet in the Pennsylvania woods.

Frein, who has been on the run for nearly a month, appears to describe the murder of Cpl. Bryon Dickson in one handwritten letter.

“Got a shot around 11 p.m. and took it. He dropped. I was surprised at how quick,” Lt. Col. George Bivens said at a press conference Wednesday, reading from the note police believe Frein wrote. “I took a follow-up shot on his head-neck area. He was still and quiet after that.”

The letter goes on to describe the shooting of a second officer. Frein is also accused of shooting and injuring Trooper Alex Douglass. Both officers were shot within minutes of each other outside the Blooming Grove police barracks on Sept. 12.

Frein, 31, wrote that he ran back to his Jeep and drove into a road block about half a mile away, Bivens said.

“I didn’t expect one so soon,” Bivens said, again reading from the letter. “It was only 15 to 20 minutes. I did a K-turn a quarter mile from them and pulled into a development I knew had unfinished access road.”

The note describes how he missed a trail and ran his vehicle into a “run-off pool,” describing it as a “disaster.” He made an attempt to stash his “AK” before running, according to the letter.

Police found Frein’s Jeep in a swamp shortly after the shooting. They have also found two pipe bombs, an AK-47, food, ammunition, clothing and other supplies in the search. Police filed additional criminal charges against Frein on Wednesday because of the explosives.

“I can only describe Eric Frein’s actions as pure evil,” Bivens said after reading the letter. “Every so often, true evil rears its ugly head and we must deal with it.”

There’s no indication that Frein knew the two troopers he allegedly shot, Bivens added.

The FBI, which has added Frein to its 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list, released new images showing what Frein might look like with a short Mohawk and facial hair.

The manhunt has stretched for more than three weeks as police focus on a few square miles near the border of Pike and Monroe counties in eastern Pennsylvania. There have been four new sightings since Friday, Bivens said.

Frein, from nearby Canadensis, has been spotted several times, but always evaded police capture because of the thick terrain. He’s a self-trained survivalist and war reenactor who focused on Eastern European militaries and weapons. He learned to shoot from his father, a retired Army major.

Bivens has said the suspect may consider the chase “a game” and has repeatedly called for him to surrender.

“We’re not going anywhere, we will get Frein,” Bivens said. “It is a matter of time before we catch him.”


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