Lower Saucon Police Responded to Fatal Officer Shooting in Freemansburg

Police from Lower Saucon Township were among the local authorities that responded to the scene of , according to a press release from Lt. Vincent K. D'Angelo, Criminal Investigation Section Commander for the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop M, Bethlehem.

Officer Robert Allen Lasso, a seven-year veteran of the Freemansburg Police Department, was shot after he responded to a disturbance call on Washington Street at 5:06pm, the release said.

"His investigation of that disturbance complaint took him to the rear of 440 New Street in Freemansburg Borough," where he was shot at the rear of the residence, police explained.

Lasso was subsequently taken to St. Luke's Hospital in Fountain Hill but died at the hospital as a result of his injuries. He is survived by his wife and two children, ages five and three, they added.

Police said that George Hitcho Jr., 46, of 440 New St., Freemansburg, was taken into custody at the scene of the shooting and added that "a weapon believed used in this crime was also recovered at the scene."

Hitcho has been charged with one count of criminal homicide and was arraigned before Magisterial Judge Diane M. Marakovits early Friday morning before being committed to Northampton County Prison without bail.

State police said that at the request of the Freemansburg Borough Chief of Police and Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli, they will be leading the investigation into the killing of Officer Lasso, which they said is ongoing.

Anyone with information related to the crime is asked to contact Pennsylvania State Police at Belfast. The telephone number for the Belfast barracks is 610-759-6106.

In addition to Lower Saucon Township, police from the City of Bethlehem and Bethlehem Township also responded to the scene to assist.