Fatal Shooting Of Gunman Justified, Says County Da Troopers Acted Appropriately In Firing The Shot That Killed Troy Oden At An I-80 Rest Stop, Says Peter Paul Olszewski.

By BOBBI DEMPSEY Times Leader Staff Writer
Sunday, December 19, 1999 Page: 8

HAZLETON – The Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office has ruled that
state police officers were justified in fatally shooting a gunman Dec. 8
during a standoff near White Haven.

District Attorney Peter Paul Olszewski announced at a press conference
Thursday that an “in-depth” joint investigation between his office and the
Pennsylvania State Police ruled troopers had just cause to fire the shot that
killed Troy Oden, also known as Troy Matthews.
Oden was shot after holding his ex-girlfriend hostage at gunpoint for more
than six hours at an Interstate 80 rest stop. He had allegedly kidnapped her
from Las Vegas several days earlier and held her captive while the pair
traveled cross country.

Olszewski said Trooper Keith Stone of Troop H in York – a sharpshooter with
the state police Special Emergency Response Team – fired the single shot that
killed Oden.

Olszewski said a big factor in the “justifiable” ruling was Oden’s
attempt to violate ground rules established by authorities shortly after the
Greyhound bus on which Oden and Vanessa Hall were riding pulled into the rest
stop.

“He was informed many times of these rules. He was specifically told he
could not board the bus with the gun and Hall. He was told bad things would
happen to him if he did.

“He also threatened to kill Hall and himself, said he wouldn’t spend
another day in jail and he wouldn’t be taken alive.”

Investigators said the saga apparently began because Oden – who had a
felony arrest record – was unhappy about a protection from abuse order that
had been issued against him.

Olszewski commended the SERT team for “outstanding professionalism.”

“Also, the original two patrol officers first on the scene, who were
exposed to great danger but handled themselves exceptionally well.”

“It ended in circumstances I feel are most appropriate, considering all
factors,” Olszewski said.

Capt. Richard Zenk of Troop N in Hazleton was one of the commanding
officers at the standoff scene.

“We’re grateful for the District Attorney’s Office for handling this
investigation so quickly. Anytime something like this happens, it’s like
there’s a question hanging over the department. That question was answered
today in a way we knew it would be.”

Cpl. Brian Tobin, also of Troop N, was the chief state police investigator
looking into the circumstances of the shooting.

He said Oden had no employment history, but “fancied himself an aspiring
rap artist.”