Gunman kills U.S. Marshal in Pennsylvania home

A gunman killed a deputy U.S. Marshal and wounded a police officer as law enforcement officials attempted to arrest a different suspect in Pennsylvania early Thursday.

Christopher David Hill, 45, was fatally shot in the line of duty while apprehending fugitive Shayla Lynette Towles Pierce in Harrisburg. A York City officer suffered non-life threatening injuries.

There were indications a third officer may have been struck in his body armor, but he was not wounded, according to U.S. Attorney Dave Freed.

Authorities were able to return fire and "critically injured" the gunman, who died from his injuries.
A team of about seven showed up at the woman's home before sunrise to arrest her on a charge of making terroristic threat with a weapon.

Pierce was being handcuffed on the first floor when gunfire came from the second floor, according to Freed. The unnamed suspect exited front of the home and began firing. Hill and Officer Kyle Pitts were able to get out the back of the building.

"Seen a gentleman running out the alley, down the street," witness Diane Stinson told WGAL. "And then two officers came in pursuit after him. They were shooting. The one officer was across the street, saying, 'Officer down. Officer down. Shots fired. Shots fired.' I'm still standing out there. They were shooting back and forth."

Hill died at a hospital. Pitts, a York City officer, required surgery but his injuries but his injuries were not considered life-threatening.

 There were children in the house at the time, cops said during a press conference.

The scene of Thursday morning's shooting in Harrisburg.

(DANIEL SHANKEN/REUTERS)

"No words can adequately express the sadness we feel at this moment as we contemplate the loss of yet another law enforcement officer in the line of duty," Mayor Eric Papenfuse said in a statement.

"I extend my sincerest condolences to the family of the slain U.S. Marshall, to his colleagues and to all law enforcement officers who risk their lives each day to protect and to serve our city and our nation."

The shooting took place less than 2 miles from the state Capitol, in a working class neighborhood. The incident is near where police shot and killed an Egyptian immigrant on Dec. 22 after he wounded a state trooper and shot at another officer near the Capitol.