Trooper Killer Might Have Had Firearms Training

The killer who gunned down two Pennsylvania state troopers was most likely military or police trained and practised shooting regularly, authorities say.

A psychological profile revealed the shooter probably had a grudge against the Pennsylvania State Police, regularly visited a local shooting range and had chosen his spot carefully.

Corporal Bryon Dickson II, 38, died and Trooper Alex Douglass, 31, was critically wounded in Friday's attack outside their barracks in Blooming Grove, in the Pocono Mountains.

Police have released the profile in the hope it helps catch the killer, who they say picked just the right hiding spot to launch the ambush and make an escape.

Forensic specialists have determined the person used a .308-calibre rifle to shoot the two troopers at 10.50pm on Friday during the ambush.

Officers have been searching the dense woodland surrounding the barracks and stopping vehicles at checkpoints.

The head of the investigation, Lt Col George Bivens, appeared to address the killer in person when he made a statement on Monday evening.

"You are a coward," he said.

"I want you to know that troopers are working around the clock to bring you to justice.

"The act that you committed may have been meant as an act of intimidation. It has not intimidated us.

"We are looking for a person or persons who may be an avid hunter or has formal firearms training, specifically with a rifle," the Morning Call news website quoted Lt Col Bivens as saying.

More than 100 police vehicles were dispatched to the barracks

"And this person may practise at a shooting range that is local to his or her place of residence or within driving distance."

Lt Col Bivens said the shooter might have been prone to ranting about Pennsylvania State Police, the Blooming Grove barracks or law enforcement agencies.

Several law enforcement agencies are working on the incident and are looking back at old old cases the two troopers may have been involved in.

WTAE said Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers had increased its reward for information leading to the capture of the killer to $75,000 (£46,000).

State police refused to give more details of the ambush, including the number of shots fired or whether the troopers were able to return fire.

Trooper Douglass is understood to be conscious and talking again, after undergoing surgery.