Jason Robison. (Pennsylvania State Police)
The man suspected of killing a Pennsylvania state trooper had posted anti-cop rhetoric on social media before the slaying.
“The only good cop is a dead cop,” Jason Robison allegedly wrote on Facebook on December 17, although the post has now been deleted, the Centre Daily Times Reported.
Robison has now died after a massive manhunt was launched following the December 30 slaying of Trooper Landon Weaver, who had gone to the home of a Robison family member after a domestic report.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Police Shot & Killed Robison
On Facebook, Pennsylvania State Police wrote, “Robison is deceased; more information to follow.” Fox News reported that authorities were not yet saying on December 31 how Robison had died. However, USA Today reported that police shot and killed Robison on the morning of December 31.
The Chicago Tribune reported that police shot Robison after he made threats to law enforcement.
Police had previously written: “The Pennsylvania State Police is searching for Jason Robison, 32. He is wanted for the homicide of Tpr. Weaver in Huntington County. The incident occurred on Bakers Hollow Road in Juniata Township. Robison should be considered armed and dangerous. It is believed that his hair is currently dyed purple. Anyone coming into contact with him should call 911 immediately.”
The Tribune said police located Robison in an “unoccupied mobile home” in the area.
2. Weaver Was Shot After Responding to a Domestic Call & Was a Newlywed
Trooper Landon Weaver, Pennsylvania State Police 145th Cadet Class
Enlisted: Dec. 14, 2015 – End of Watch: Dec. 30, 2016
According to The Associated Press, Weaver joined the Pennsylvania State Police in December 2015 and “is the 97th member of the Pennsylvania State Police to be killed in the line of duty.” Weaver was only 23-years-old, and he was shot responding to a “protection-from-abuse-order” complaint, reported The Chicago Tribune.
PennLive reported that the slain trooper “was a graduate of Central High School in Martinsburg, Blair County. Also in June, he married his high school sweetheart, Macy Gottshall.” The news site reported that Weaver “was a dean’s list student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in criminal justice.”
Governor Tom Wolf released a statement, “I commend the Pennsylvania State Police and all law enforcement involved for the swift resolution of this manhunt and for preventing any other residents from being harmed. I thank the troopers and their counterparts who worked through the night and put their lives on the line.
Trooper Weaver’s life and service to our commonwealth ended far too soon – may we never forget his sacrifice. Frances and I ask all Pennsylvanians to join us in keeping his wife, family, and fellow Troopers in our thoughts and prayers as they confront this horrific tragedy.”
3. The Facebook Post Featured a Photo of an Injured Officer
According to the Centre Daily Times, as to the now deleted Facebook post: “The status included two images — one of a police cruiser that had crashed and another of an injured police officer.”
Another post said, “Looking for people to play Russian Roulette with me.” People have now filled Robison’s Facebook page with expletives and photos of the slain trooper.
4. Robison Has a Criminal History
The Centre Daily Times reported that Robison has been arrested “about a dozen times with charges ranging from simple assault to arson.”
5. More than 130 Law Enforcement Officers Died in 2016
Some of the law enforcement killed in Dallas in 2016. (Getty)
Weaver’s name is now added to the tragically long list of American law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2016. Before Weaver, there were 135 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in the United States in 2016. Their life stories varied somewhat, but to a one they were described as dedicated public servants who embraced the job and for whom it should not have been the time to go. Some left behind pregnant wives.
Of those officers, more than 60 died in shootings, reported Fox News, a 68 percent increase over the previous year. Many of the remaining officers died in traffic accidents. CNN reported 64 died in shootings, over the annual average.
That’s the highest number of LEO deaths since 2011, Time Magazine said.
Assassinations of police officers in Dallas, Texas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana helped drive a sharp increase over 2015. Twenty-one officers were killed in ambush-style attacks “often fueled by anger over police use of force involving minorities,” said CBS News.
You can see the full list with bios and photos here:
