PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP -- State police have identified the man who was shot and killed by a Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission officer in Luzerne County.
Investigators say Sean Bohinski, 37, of Nanticoke, was killed after he attacked that officer along the Susquehanna River in Plymouth Township by striking him with a rock several times and attempting to drown him as well.
Canal Park off Route 11 near West Nanticoke was packed with state troopers, crime scene investigators and emergency Tuesday afternoon. The Luzerne County District Attorney's Office said state police were called to the area around 1 p.m.
Authorities said Bohinski hit the officer with a rock several times, and Bohinski even tried to drown the officer. They said the officer was basically fighting for his life.
Investigators say the officer was on routine patrol and walking along the Susquehanna River when he came upon Bohinski.
“For some reason, a fight ensued with that male,” said Luzerne County First Assistant District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce. “The officer was struck repeatedly and so far, the evidence seems to indicate that there may have been an attempt to drown that officer. The officer discharged his weapon. The individual is now deceased. This individual remains unidentified. The officer is being treated for his injuries.”
Jack Faux tells Newswatch 16 that he is the brother-in-law of Bohinski. He tells us that he doesn't believe what investigators are saying. Faux says his brother-in-law had warrants for child support but would never attack an officer.
“I guarantee he took off running because he didn't want to be captured, but he's never going to put up a fight to cop. He wouldn't do it,” said Faux.
Authorities originally believed there was a second person involved. A helicopter searched the area until it was determined the officer and Bohinski were the only ones on the river.
Neighbors said they heard two gunshots and saw the injured officer. They were shocked by it all.
"I was born and raised in this town. I'm coming up through and I see all the cop cars and everything. I just pulled in to see what's going on and heard what's going on. It's crazy. It's unbelievable, you know, that someone would do that," said Joseph Shedlock.
“Any time an officer, whether it be state police, local police, or in this case a Fish and Boat Commission, you know, they're there to enforce the law. When they're attacked, it's an attack on all of us,” said Sanguedolce.
State police and the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office are handling the investigation. Investigators have not released the name of the officer or his condition at the hospital. An autopsy on Bohinski is scheduled for Wednesday.