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As heard in the video above, Officers responded to the 305 East Elm Street home in response to a Facebook post referencing suicide.
Police arrived and were met with gunfire when the man inside opened the rear door of the home. An officer on scene reported that one round was shot *at* an officer, however County dispatchers heard that a round was shot *in* an officer. EMS was dispatched for a report of an officer down, however this was found to be a misunderstanding through radio transmissions. Police returned fire before the male retreated back into the home. The male's stray bullet struck a vehicle along East Chapel Street. Backup units were requested including the SOG (Special Operations Group). 
Police also received information that the male inside of the home had contacted their landlord saying that he was sorry.
The officer who was shot at will be treated for trauma by a crisis intervention specialist as per Chief Jerry Speziale due to being involved in being fired upon and returning fire. The man involved, unofficially identified as Joseph Polin, was found suffering an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound. Police say it appears to have been suicide, however a report from the coroner was not yet available. Chief Jerry Speziale referred to the situation as an ambush, comparing the situation to other instances in recent times involving police and active shooters. Chief Speziale on the incident: "When the officers arrived here, it was pretty much an ambush at that point." "When they got there, it erupted in gunfire with them being fired upon."
Read more about the original Facebook post:
http://www.hazletonnewsone.com/newsblog/disturbing-facebook-post-led-to-police-shootout-and-standoffwww.hazletonnewsone.com/newsblog/disturbing-facebook-post-led-to-police-shootout-and-standoff |
