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A dramatic confrontation unfolded near Saint Joseph’s University in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, when a former police officer, wanted for child rape, was fatally shot during an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement, according to officials.
The altercation began on Wednesday morning as police attempted to serve a warrant in the Philadelphia suburb. The suspect, a former part-time officer, reportedly initiated the gunfire upon being approached by the authorities.
The incident took place on the unit block of Old Lancaster Road, creating a tense situation for the community.
The suspect was identified as Francis Collier, a 38-year-old who had previously served with the Morton Borough Police Department on a part-time basis.
Authorities noted that Collier had been on leave amid an ongoing investigation and had resigned from his position in December.
According to the district attorney’s office, officers observed Collier getting into his car around 3:48 a.m. near Old Lancaster and Edge Hill roads, and confronted him.
Investigators said Collier fired at officers, who returned fire, fatally wounding him.
Police remained at the scene throughout the morning, searching for shell casings and towing a Jeep Grand Cherokee that Collier was in at the time of the confrontation.
Morton Borough police said Collier was placed on leave immediately after the investigation into him began.
Sources said the investigation started in December, when an adult female family member reported to Upper Darby police that Collier had raped her as a child between 15 and 20 years ago.
The case was later turned over to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, which charged Collier with rape on Tuesday.
Sources also said that while serving in law enforcement, Collier had been assigned to the Delaware County Child Abuse and Exploitation Task Force.
The Montgomery County Detective Bureau is handling the investigation into the fatal shooting.
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