Police Officer Shot in Freemansburg
Preliminary reports say officer was shot in the head.
10:10 p.m. Suspect George Hitcho Jr., 46, of Freemansburg is in custody and is expected to be charged with homicide, officials say.
Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli held a news conference at 10 p.m. and said the deceased officer is Robert A. Lasso, 31. He joined the department in 2004 and is the son of borough Councilman Donald Lasso.
Morganelli said this may be the first time an officer was killed in the line of duty since 1969 (in terms of homicide rather than a car accident) in Northampton County.
Lasso is survived by his wife and two children.
He was responding to a domestic dispute, officials say.
Pennsylvania State Police (Bethlehem barracks) are handling the investigation. There is more information in this Morning Call report.
9:53 p.m. The death of an officer has been confirmed by the Associated Press, according to this report.
9:25 p.m. Update: A hearse with a police escort left St. Luke's Hospital shortly before 9 p.m., according to this report.
Initial Report:
A police officer in Freemansburg was shot - possibly in the head - according to multiple reports and a suspect may be in custody.
The attack happened around 5:15pm at 126 Washington St.
The officer was rushed to St. Luke's Hospital, Fountain Hill, where a cortege of emergency vehicles was parked outside.
George Detrick
10:39 pm on Thursday, August 11, 2011
I was a Freemansburg resident for 10 years and the police there perform greatly. Robert will be sorely missed and it is a great loss for the department and the residents of Freemansburg.
wales
11:10 pm on Thursday, August 11, 2011
R.I.P. Officer Lasso! Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and our brothers from the Freemansburg Police Department.
-Plainfield Township P.D.-
Ianza Torres
11:39 pm on Thursday, August 11, 2011
My heart is broken for Officer Robert A. Lasso and his beloved family. only my tears can express the sorrow I feel. the memories, the aches and the pains of loosing a loved one are overwhelming me as I read what the Lasso family and the police Department have had to undergo so quickly tonight. You are not alone, My prayer to his family is that for the Holy spirit to comfort your family in this very difficult time, and may a smidgen of peace overcome you in knowing that there are so many out there who are with you,, cry with you, mourn with, get angry with you, and are praying with you. May you rest in peace Officer Lasso, gone to soon, Never forgotten.
Tina Olson-Wilkins
1:02 am on Friday, August 12, 2011
My prayers are to the Lasso Family and friends. Freemansburg is such a small community, it was shock to hear tonight. I promise, a good portion of Hellertown, I heard first hand this eve at work, including myself, sends a deeply sad condolense. This is very sad to hear.