There is still no sign of the man wanted in last week’s deadly shooting in Edwardsville, but a witness said she saw the suspect George Lee Barnes hours before police issued an arrest warrant for him Tuesday afternoon.
"Yeah, he walked right past here. He said he was going to hop on a bus and get out of town," said the witness who did not want to be identified.
Barnes is wanted in the shooting death of Daron Trollinger. Police said what started as a drug deal last Wednesday outside the Eagle Ridge apartments, ended up with Barnes shooting and killing Trollinger.
Since then, people who live near the scene say they’re scared. They also want to know why and how Barnes was able to flee the area.
Barnes had a criminal record, and was released from jail back in March on bail.
""If they know he had a record and involved in stuff like that. He was shot he should have been a suspect from the beginning for some reason. They should have had him on some kind of watch," said George Kanelois, the owner of a bar near the shooting scene.
According to court documents, during the shooting Barnes was grazed in the head by a bullet and was taken to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Hospital in Plains Township for treatment. According to hospital records, Barnes was discharged at 10:55 a.m. the day after the shooting. At the same time, police detectives were interviewing witnesses and searching his apartment back in Edwardsville.
"The police departments are doing everything possible to keep their citizens safe, to not be scared. That’s what they are there for," said Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis.
The district attorney's words provided little comfort for some who live and work near the shooting scene.
"It’s not safe at all, especially for little people like me. I’m not that big. I can’t fight off a man or a gun so I think she’s out of her mind if she believes that," added the witness.
State police said George Lee Barnes is armed and dangerous and anyone who sees him should call 911 immediately.