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Police Still Searching for Whoever Ambushed Troopers

UPDATED 8:00 p.m. – Pennsylvania State Police have provided their first update in the investigation since 2:30 p.m. Saturday: We are receiving a large num...

UPDATED 8:00 p.m. - Pennsylvania State Police have provided their first update in the investigation since 2:30 p.m. Saturday:

We are receiving a large number of leads, all of which are being followed up. Some are fantastic and some dead ends. The reward has been increased up to $50,000.00. This  increase is from donations from the community members, Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers, and other organizations. The preferred Tip Line is 1-866-326-7256.

We are currently utilizing several traffic checkpoint located throughout the Blooming Grove patrol area. We hope to maintain a stronger than normal police presence to possibly gain useful information and also to provide the community with some sense of comfort.

 Tpr. Alex T Douglass is currently conscious and talking for the first time post-surgery. We hope to interview him and see if he can provide any information on the incident.

We are still keeping the information on the investigation quiet to preserve the integrity of the leads coming on to our tip line.

 There will be no press conference today, however if anything pertinent comes in, I will update via email.

 Thank you for your time, coverage and patience.

 Tpr. Tom Kelly, Pennsylvania State Police

BLOOMING GROVE TOWNSHIP -- It's been more than 24 hours since any new information has come from state police about the deadly ambush on two of their own.

The reward for info leading to an arrest was increased to $50,000 on Sunday and it would appear investigators have few, if any, clues as to who was behind the attack.

The search for evidence continued in the wooded area around the Blooming Grove barracks on Sunday.

Vehicles from the state police, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and even the Red Cross covered the area, but nobody has been arrested nor have police identified a suspect or a motive.

In the woods, in the air, and on the roads the investigation continued in Pike County, as scores of police tried to figure out who opened fire on the Blooming Grove State Police barracks Friday night killing Corporal Bryon Dickson and injuring Trooper Alex Douglass.

Despite the show of force, the ambush remains a mystery. More than 36 hours later officers stopped drivers at a checkpoint on Route 402 and combed the woods near the barracks searching for any trace of evidence from the attack.

The parking lot of the barracks, which has been closed since the shooting, was a hub of activity for investigators.

Sunday services were postponed at the Blooming Grove Baptist Church just up the road from the barracks because police used the building as headquarters for their investigation.

Sally Barry of Blooming Grove Township didn't get home Friday or Saturday because police blocked off the road where she lives.

"I am thinking we are all safe here. Now we are not safe," Barry said.

Big D's Fireworks is near the shooting scene.  Workers lowered their flag to half staff in honor of the troopers that to them feel like family.

"You can see what is going on right here. The helicopters have been flying for at least half an hour this morning," said John Liagre with Big D's Fireworks. "I feel confident that they will get to the bottom of this, hopefully."

Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers have raised the reward money for info leading to an arrest in this case, from $20,000 to $50,000. The number is 866-326-7256.

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