Man found dead in Cranberry Township after weapons, disturbing notes spark massive search, police say

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) — A man is dead after a massive search in Cranberry Township triggered a stay-at-home order for all residents Tuesday afternoon, police said.

The police chief said employees at Cranberry Highlands Golf Course were called after seeing a disabled car with weapons inside and a man who was not entirely coherent on Turfgrass Drive, off Freshcorn Road, which is a private road.

Authorities said Tuesday night that gunfire occurred between officers and the man, believed to be in his 30s, before he was found dead. Authorities did not say how many shots were fired or how the man died.

“Our officers arrived on scene a short time later. The vehicle was unoccupied and there were weapons inside,” Cranberry Township Police Chief Kevin Meyer said Tuesday night. “As they searched the vehicle, secured the contents and prepared to tow it, they found disturbing notes inside the vehicle that led us to believe this individual intended to harm himself or others.”

The KDKA-TV crew heard several gunshots and neighbors told KDKA-TV's Jennifer Borrasso they also heard gunshots.

On Tuesday around 1:30 p.m., the Cranberry Township Police Department asked all residents to shelter in place and lock their doors while officers searched for a “suspicious person.” There was a heavy police presence and officers with guns drawn were seen covering the area around the golf course, which was closed.

The lockdown was lifted around 3:30 p.m. when police said there was no longer an active threat. The man at the center of the search was found dead in the woods, but police are not saying whether he was shot by officers or shot himself in the head. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the circumstances of his death.

“We appreciate the community’s support and patience during this time,” Meyer said. “I hope they understand that this was a law enforcement event that required the necessary closures and closures of streets, parks and golf courses. So everything is back open now, the community is safe.”

Meyers said the man was not from Cranberry and was staying south of the area at a motel. Police also said they found a note at the motel. She added that they are investigating threats he may have made against a local hospital.

The man's identity has not been released. His vehicle was towed away from the scene.

Police did not specify what the notes said or what weapons were inside the car.