The Lead: Marshall’s Creek Shooting Ruled a Homicide

Monroe County Coroner Thomas Yanac has ruled the death of Sean Thornton, 37, of Middle Smithfield Township a homicide, determining he died of multiple gunshot wounds. As we reported yesterday, Thornton was shot by state troopers responding to a disturbance call at a home on Marshalls Creek Road just before 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4. He was pronounced dead at 7:43 p.m. at Lehigh Valley Hospital Pocono Emergency Department.

Pennsylvania State Police and the Monroe County District Attorney's Office are jointly investigating whether the shooting was justified, with Troop N's Major Case Team leading the review. The involved troopers remain on administrative leave; but remember that is standard procedure after a shooting. Despite numerous speculations on social media, authorities have not released what led to the disturbance call, and no charges have been filed as of this writing.

A coroner's ruling of homicide is a medical and legal classification of how someone died. It is not, on its own, a criminal charge, and none has been filed against the troopers involved.