BY SUSAN BRYANT

sbryant@tnonline.com

Two men are dead and one is injured after three shooting incidents in the early morning hours of April 21 which began on Route 22 and ended at the Wawa on Route 100 at Schantz Road, Upper Macungie Township.

Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin at a 9 a.m. news conference said a shots fired complaint was called into Upper Macungie police via the 911 call center at 4:48 a.m.

Martin said there was an encounter between the male driver of a white Corolla and a white car driven by a woman on Route 22 between Route 309 and Cedar Crest Boulevard.

The woman was unaware her vehicle had been hit until she stopped at the Wawa for a sandwich and saw the bullet hole in her car.

She was not injured, Martin said, adding she was being interviewed by police.

According to Martin, the male driver of the Corolla also drove into the Wawa, went to the southernly side of the store where a Jeep was and shot a male who was inside.

That male was receiving medical treatment at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, for non-life threating injuries, Martin added.

The male shooter then shot and killed the male driver of an orange colored tractor-trailer who was pumping gas.

The shooter them ran south on Route 100 about a quarter mile from the Wawa where he shot himself in the hand and chest killing himself, Martin said.

There does not appear to be a motive for the shootings at this time, Martin said.

“They appear indiscriminate and unrelated,” Martin added.

Martin commended a Wawa employee who was taking out the trash for his quick response during the incident.

“While he was taking out the trash, he heard the gun shots and ushered two customers inside the store and alerted employees to shelter in place and locked the door,” Martin said. “All the credit goes to him.”

During the news conference, Trooper First Class Nathan T. Branosky, community service officer with State Police Troop M, Bethlehem, said during the course of these incidents a trooper who was assisting with traffic control at Route 100 and Industrial Boulevard was struck by a vehicle.

“The trooper did receive medical treatment at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, and has since been released,” Branosky said.

Lehigh County Coroner Eric Minnich, also at the news conference, said one male died at the hospital; the other died at the scene.

He said autopsies will be performed and their identities will not be release until next of kin have been notified.

In closing at the press conference, Upper Macungie Township Police Chief Michael Sitoski, thanked his officers and troopers from State Police Troop M, Fogelsville, for their quick response.

“This prevented any further incidents from the perpetrator,” Sitoski said.