NORTHUMBERLAND — State troopers and volunteer scuba divers searched around the Priestley Bridge Sunday, looking for the murder weapon from a Union County homicide case.
Here is an interview with Trooper Matt Laforme of the Milton State police barracks.
The search focused on upstream side of the Priestley Bridge between Northumberland and Packer Island. Northumberland County Communications tells us Upper Augusta Fire Department was there with two boats, and Sunbury’s Rescue Hose Company was there with one boat. About five divers are involved, searching in the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.
Trooper Laforme said they are looking for a black folding knife that may have been used in the homicide at the Century Village apartment complex Saturday morning. He declined to say how they came to think of this location is a possible site for the knife. He did say, the suspect in the murder case was picked up in Point Township, Northumberland County, a few hours after the killing.
According to troopers Saturday, the stabbing happened around 5am, in Buffalo Township, Union County, when a verbal argument ended with a stabbing. State police issued a statement; killed was 42-year-old Jamal Britton of Lewisburg, he was stabbed in the abdomen/rib area, initially taken to Evangelical Community Hospital, then flown to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, where he died Saturday. An autopsy is set for Monday.
Arrested was 38-year-old Robert Lee of Steelton. He was arraigned in front of magistrate Lori Hackenberg and is being held in the Union County prison without bail. Responders Saturday morning included state police, ambulance crews and the Buffalo Valley Regional police.