Brookville police allegedly avert potential mass homicide

BROOKVILLE – A Punxsutawney man was allegedly stopped from potentially committing mass homicide after being found with a pair of firearms at a Brookville truck stop earlier this month, according to an affidavit of probable cause obtained from the office of Magisterial District Judge Gregory Bazylak in Brookville.

According to that affidavit, Christopher R. Strimple, 30, of 408 Beyer Ave., Apt. 2, Punxsutawney, is facing a first-degree felony charge of criminal attempt (criminal homicide) in relation to the incident.

At 9:48 a.m. on Wednesday, July 20, an officer with the Brookville Police Department was given a phone call request from Jefferson County 911 to speak with an individual from Jefferson Clearfield Crisis.

The individual from Jefferson Clearfield Crisis told the officer that they had received a phone call on the Crisis Hotline from an individual who had received several distraught text messages from Strimple indicating that he thought he was going to die. That individual had visited Strimple at his residence in Punxsutawney, and Strimple allegedly “was very agitated” and the two got into an argument. Strimple had then reportedly left in a silver 2015 Ford Fusion.

The individual from Jefferson Clearfield Crisis was able to obtain a phone number for Strimple and was able to get in contact with him. During that call, Strimple stated he did not have any thoughts of suicide. However, when asked if he had thoughts of homicide, Strimple allegedly answered “maybe.”

According to the affidavit, when asked if these thoughts were in regards to anyone specific, “Strimple answered ‘no’ but stated he had an AR-15 and 9mm in his vehicle.”

The individual from Jefferson Clearfield Crisis was able to obtain a location for Strimple and found that he was at the Flying J truck stop in Brookville. At that time, the individual from Jefferson Clearfield Crisis called Jefferson County 911 to request a police escort to the scene due to the fact that Strimple expressed the intention he wanted to kill people and had guns in the car.

The individual from Jefferson Clearfield Crisis told the office that it would take at

least 40 minutes until a delegate would be able to get to the scene. They also told the officer that they were unsure where Strimple was located at the Flying J.

After obtaining a physical description of Strimple, the officer contacted the Brookville Borough Police Chief and advised him of the situation. They decided to meet at the former Plyler's Restaurant and respond to the Flying J together since there was the threat of weapons involved.

Upon their arrival at the Flying J, Strimple's vehicle was located in a RV parking spot near the entrance. They were unable to visibly see that the vehicle was unoccupied, and were also unable to visibly see any firearms in the vehicle.

As they were walking around the rear of the vehicle, the trunk suddenly popped open and Strimple appeared in the parking lot about 50 feet behind the vehicle.

According to the affidavit, “Strimple appeared very distraught and agitated” and was

“sweating and advancing toward (the chief and officer) with an object in his right hand.”

Strimple allegedly threw the key toward the feet of the chief and stated that the guns were in the trunk of the vehicle.

Strimple was handcuffed for safety purposes and was asked if he would go to the DuBois hospital. Strimple reportedly “became irritated and began yelling he did not want to go to DuBois.” Strimple told the chief and officer that he had been to the DuBois hospital the previous day and they would not admit him. When asked where he wanted to go, Strimple did not answer. However, Strimple did indicate that he was still willing to speak with Crisis.

The officer secured both of the guns located in the trunk of the vehicle. The AR-15 was described as being a pistol version. One fully loaded magazine and two partially loaded magazines were reportedly recovered from the trunk next to the gun. The 9mm was described in the affidavit as being a Glock 43x that was unloaded in a case. Two fully loaded magazines were reportedly located in the case next to the Glock.

Strimple was transported to the Brookville Police Station to meet with Jefferson Clearfield Crisis. Strimple reportedly remained agitated, and according to the affidavit, “it appeared Strimple was hallucinating about 5g radio waves being used on him.”

A crisis delegate worker arrived at the police station and met with Strimple. According to the affidavit, less than five minutes passed before the crisis delegate worker stated there was nothing they could do for Strimple because he refused to talk and was not suicidal at the time. They also stated they had nothing to admit Strimple on. The chief requested to speak with a supervisor and was put in contact with the individual from Jefferson Clearfield Crisis who had initially contacted police.

When that individual was informed of Strimple's homicidal ideation and the firearms that had been located in the trunk of his vehicle, they agreed to proceed with 302 paperwork.

Once the 302 warrant came through, Strimple was transported to DuBois hospital for a mental evaluation/302 warrant.

According to the affidavit, it was also learned that Strimple had attempted to seek mental health help at St. Vincent Hospital in Erie on July 18 but had been discharged the same day.

At 1:45 p.m. on July 21, Strimple's vehicle was searched. According to the affidavit, a black tactical bag was located on the front passenger seat. The tactical bag contained a Fury tactical knife, paracord, compass, USCCA flashlight, USCAA tactical multitool, USCAA bacterial wipes, and tactical gauze.

Strimple is currently facing one firstdegree felony charge of criminal attempt – murder. His case status is currently listed as “inactive,” and he is awaiting a preliminary hearing.