Former Pa. County Official Accused of Firing at Officers

April 5, 2011
A former Cumberland County official barricaded himself inside his Hampden Township home Monday night and fired more than 20 shots at officers.

HAMPDEN TOWNSHIP, Pa. --

A former Cumberland County official barricaded himself inside his Hampden Township home Monday night and fired more than 20 shots at officers, according to police.

Barry J. Horn Jr., 29, was once a deputy coroner for Cumberland County. Court documents state that he was suspended. Monday night, police said they received a call that Horn was suicidal.

Around 10:30 p.m., when officers arrived at the scene along the 800 block of Mandy Lane, they said Horn shot at them from inside and outside his home. A SWAT team was called in and neighbors were told to stay inside their homes. About a dozen nearby residents were evacuated.

Around 3 a.m. Tuesday, officers forcibly took Horn into custody. No one was hurt.

Horn was taken to the hospital for a mental evaluation. He is now being held without bail in the Cumberland County Prison.

"These things don't usually go very well and for them to walk away with the individual in custody and no one injured, that's a win for everyone involved, including this gentleman and his relatives," said Cumberland County Public Information Officer John Bruetsch.

Police said they found handguns and rifles in the home. Horn Jr. is an avid hunter.

Officers expect to charge him with several offenses, including aggravated assault.

Document Reveals Suspect May Have Been Making An Explosive

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Horn fired shots from the second floor window of his home and yelled out to officers that he had "8,000 rounds and you are going to have to take me."

Police said they watched him load various weapons as he walked through the house. Officers saw a shotgun and handguns being pointed out the window and Horn was seen "blackening" the windows by pulling down the blinds.

When police entered the house at 2:45 a.m. they found weapons and rounds all over the house, according to the affidavit. Mattresses and boards were across several doors in the home.

SWAT members found Horn passed out, lying on the living room floor, surrounded by several handguns and on top of ammo. Four shotguns, five rifles, some with scopes, and six handguns were found. Many of the weapons were loaded.

In the kitchen police, "found the makings of some type of explosive set up on the counter"

The document also indicates that officers stated that "in the corner of the front living room we found a gas can containing gasoline and several pillows and blankets that were soaked with gasoline."

Horn was arraigned on the following charges:

  • 3 counts of assault on a law enforcement officer
  • 3 counts of aggravated assault
  • 1 count of recklessly endangering another person

Copyright 2011 by WGAL.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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