THOMPSON TOWNSHIP, PA — The quiet community of Susquehanna County is grieving after the tragic death of Lori Kelsey, who was shot and killed during a violent confrontation on Thursday, August 7, 2025. The fatal incident unfolded along Route 171 in Thompson Township, where Pennsylvania State Police were conducting a welfare check at a residence.
According to the Pennsylvania State Police, Troopers Joseph Perechinsky and William Jenkins responded to the scene around 11:00 a.m. after receiving a call for assistance. Upon arrival, the troopers were met with gunfire. Both officers sustained injuries during the ambush and were rushed to Geisinger Scranton CMC, where they remain hospitalized in stable condition.
Authorities have confirmed that the shooter was a neighbor of Lori Kelsey, and that he opened fire not only on law enforcement but had fatally shot Lori before troopers arrived. The suspect was ultimately shot and killed by state police during the exchange of gunfire.
Friends and family members have identified the woman killed as Lori Kelsey, a beloved member of the community who was known for her warmth, kindness, and devotion to her loved ones. She is survived by grieving family, friends, and neighbors who are struggling to come to terms with her senseless and sudden death.
One of those grieving is Nikki Creps, a close friend of Lori’s, who spoke exclusively to Channel2 NOW following the incident. Creps expressed deep sorrow over the loss and anger at the circumstances that led to it. She revealed that the shooter was already known to authorities and had been involved in a prior home invasion. Creps believes that if the system had acted sooner, Lori might still be alive today.
“This should have never happened,” Creps said. “He was a troubled man and should’ve been in jail weeks ago. Lori was deeply loved by so many. She did not deserve this.”
The suspect’s identity has not yet been formally released by police, but reports indicate he was a local man with a history of disturbing behavior. The investigation into the full circumstances of the shooting is ongoing, and the Pennsylvania State Police have not commented on why the suspect had not been previously detained in connection with earlier incidents.
The community of Thompson Township is now left shaken by the violence that took place in what is typically a peaceful rural area. Flowers and tributes are already beginning to appear near the location of the shooting, as locals mourn the loss of a woman who, by all accounts, was cherished.
Lori Kelsey’s death is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly tragedy can strike—and of the importance of addressing warning signs before they lead to irreversible consequences.
Authorities are asking anyone with additional information related to the events leading up to the shooting to contact the Pennsylvania State Police in Gibson as the investigation continues. Funeral arrangements for Lori Kelsey will be announced in the coming days.
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