Retired Pennsylvania State Trooper Shot Dead After Killing Toll Collector and Guard

Police investigate at exit 180 off of the Pennsylvania Turnpike where a toll booth worker at the Fort Littleton Exchange was shot early Sunday, March 20, 2016 in an apparent robbery attempt. Authorities say a turnpike employee and another worker were shot and killed in the robbery attempt. The suspect in the shooting was also killed. Daniel Zampogna/PennLive.com via AP

FORT LITTLETON, Pa.—A retired state trooper killed a turnpike toll collector and a security guard in a holdup attempt at a toll plaza and then was shot dead by troopers while trying to escape with the money, authorities said.

Clarence Briggs, who retired four years ago, confronted two Pennsylvania Turnpike toll collectors with a handgun on Sunday morning at the Fort Littleton toll plaza in Dublin Township, 65 miles west of Harrisburg, the state capital, police said. Briggs ordered both into an adjoining office and tried to tie them up but fled after a struggle, they said. Both employees left the building as a fare collection vehicle arrived and a security guard emerged, they said.

The first trooper exchanged shots with Briggs, who was wounded and died at the scene, police said.