Man shot by state police faces attempted murder charges after shootout near Centre County
.jpeg "A man was shot by state police Tuesday night during a brief exchange in Clinton County.")
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Troopers shot Brandon Bitner after they say he fired at them after fleeing during an arrest warrant attempt.
- Bitner faces 18 charges, including three counts of attempted first-degree murder.
- A joint investigation is ongoing; PSP troopers involved are on administrative leave.
A man was shot by state police Tuesday night during a brief exchange in Clinton County that the agency said began once he fled and fired multiple shots at troopers.
Brandon L. Bitner, 42, of Clinton County, was transported to UPMC Williamsport for treatment of gunshot injuries that are not life-threatening, Trooper Lauren Lesher said in a press release. She declined to share where Bitner was shot.
He is facing 18 charges, including three counts of attempted first-degree murder for firing a shotgun at troopers. No defense lawyer was listed and a phone number listed for Bitner did not accept a phone call Wednesday afternoon.
No law enforcement or bystanders were injured, Lesher said, in the shootout that unfolded less than a mile beyond Centre County’s border.
State police at Lamar attempted to serve a felony aggravated assault on law enforcement warrant on Bitner about 8:50 p.m. Tuesday at his residence along the 2400 block of Eagle Valley Road in Bald Eagle Township, a corporal wrote in an affidavit of probable cause.
As three troopers approached the home, police said Bitner fired one round from a pump-action shotgun. He fled on state Route 150 in a 2001 Honda Accord at a high rate of speed, police wrote.
About 4 1/2 miles later, police said Bitner pulled into the parking lot of Lykens Market at 272 Main St. and raised the shotgun in the direction of the troopers. They then exchanged gunfire.
At least one of Bitner’s shots struck the roof that covers the station’s gas pumps. Citing an ongoing investigation, Lesher declined to share how many shots were fired by troopers. He was then taken into custody.
About seven civilians who were either working, shopping or parked at the convenience store were in danger during the shootout, police wrote.
All involved members of the Pennsylvania State Police were placed on administrative leave, as required by the agency’s regulations. A joint investigation with Clinton County District Attorney Dave Strouse is ongoing.
Lesher said body and dash cameras were in use, but it did not appear the agency plans to voluntarily release the footage. “PSP does not release their footage,” Lesher said in an email. The Centre Daily Times plans to submit a request for the footage.
It is not known when Bitner will be arraigned.
The shooting did not appear to be Bitner’s first adversarial interaction with the state police. Charges filed against him in February included aggravated assault of law enforcement officers, fleeing and resisting arrest.
After a state police at Lamar trooper attempted to stop Bitner on the 300 block of Beech Creek Avenue, police said he fled in the same Honda Accord. The pursuit ended once Bitner pulled into the front yard of his residence.
He then exited the coupe, brandished a large weapon and ignored a trooper’s commands while pacing with an “aggressive posture,” police wrote. Once three additional troopers arrived to assist, police said Bitner attempted to throw gasoline toward them. He also covered himself and his vehicle in gasoline, police wrote.
“I’m going to burn you mother------,” a trooper quoted Bitner as saying.
He was arrested after a trooper shocked him with a Taser. A lighter was found on the ground near the gasoline-soaked area, police wrote. It is not clear if the same troopers were involved in Tuesday’s shooting; Lesher said she was unable to answer that question.
The case is still pending. Clinton County President Judge Craig P. Miller issued an arrest warrant Aug. 12 after Bitner failed to appear for a status conference. A message left with attorney Patrick Johnson was not immediately returned.
The judge had also ordered in May that Bitner undergo a psychological evaluation. Bitner was free after he posted $50,000 bail through a bondsman. Bail was set by District Judge Frank Mills.
This story was originally published August 20, 2025 at 9:12 AM.