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Joseph Michael Rothka

Age : 57

Gender : Male

Race : White

Date : 08/23/2023

Location : Foster Drive and Lake Shore Drive, Lewis Lake community

City : Union Dale

County : Susquehanna

State : Pennsylvania

Agency : Pennsylvania State Police

Officer(s) :Unknown

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police under undisclosed circumstances

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 08/23/2023, at approximately 6:55 p.m., Pennsylvania State Police troopers were dispatched to the Lewis Lake community in Herrick Township near Union Dale after an officer of the Lewis Lake Association reported a suspicious vehicle. The association officer reported that the vehicle was trespassing and that its driver did not want to leave the property.
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Troopers encountered 57-year-old Joseph Michael Rothka of Jefferson Township inside his vehicle in the area of Foster Drive and Lake Shore Drive. According to Pennsylvania State Police, Rothka had multiple firearms inside the vehicle.
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Police alleged that Rothka did not comply with commands to get out of the vehicle. Troopers further reported that Rothka possessed one of the firearms and that they ordered him to drop the weapon.
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According to the Pennsylvania State Police account, Rothka pointed the firearm toward the troopers. Two troopers then opened fire, striking Rothka multiple times.
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Susquehanna County Coroner Anthony Conarton pronounced Rothka dead at the scene. The coroner determined that Rothka died from multiple gunshot wounds.
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Pennsylvania State Police confirmed that two troopers discharged their firearms. Both were placed on administrative leave following the killing.
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The shooting triggered two investigations. The Pennsylvania State Police Internal Affairs Division conducted an internal investigation, while Susquehanna County District Attorney Marion O'Malley assigned two county detectives to conduct a separate investigation focusing on whether the troopers' use of deadly force was legally justified.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
Two Pennsylvania State Police troopers fired at Rothka. Pennsylvania State Police spokesman Trooper Robert Urban declined to publicly identify either shooting trooper while the investigation was underway.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.pahomepage.com/news/deadly-officer-involved-shooting-in-susquehanna-county/
https://currently.att.yahoo.com/att/jefferson-twp-man-shot-killed-190100920.html