Noonan said, "It's an attack against all of us in society and the people of Pennsylvania."
He added, "This attack was an ambush. Our troopers were leaving the barracks and were shot without warning, and really had no chance to defend themselves."
The officer who died from the police barracks shooting was identified as Corporal Bryon Dixon. Dixon was pronounced dead at the scene, according to CBS Local. Douglass in the meantime remains hospitalized and in critical but stable condition.
According to Noonan, investigators are working hard to find the person or people responsible for the police barracks shooting and Dixon's death.
Noonan said, "We're going to be searching and using our helicopters. We're gonna use every possible technique and piece of equipment we have until we have this person in custody."
According to the NY Daily News, the gunman escaped after the 11 p.m. police barracks shooting. Pennsylvania law enforcement officials are now working with authorities from New York and New Jersey to help with the investigations and the search.
They said the suspect is armed and dangerous. Officials also believe that the suspect was targeting law enforcement, but it is unclear if the two officers were the specific targets.
According to Noonan, both troopers who had become victims of the police barracks shooting were young men with families. He also described the crime to be "heartbreaking."
Noonan added, "The only consolation we have right now is we're all working so hard, we haven't had the chance to deal with the emotions of this terrible act."
On Saturday, according to the AP, several roads around the barracks, including parts of Interstate 84, have been closed. A town composed of about 4,000 people, Blooming Grove is about 35 miles east of Scranton.
Multiple reports say that Corporal Dixon, the trooper who died from the police barracks shooting, was a graduate of the police academy in 2007. According to Dixon's friends as told to the Times-Tribune, the trooper transferred to the Blooming Grove Barracks from Philadelphia several months ago in order to be closer to his family.
Melissa Contorno, a friend of the Dickson family, said, "He was very, very work oriented. He was all about it. He was a stand-up guy."
Dixon left behind a wife and two sons - a kindergartener and a second-grader, reports the NY Daily News.
Noonan said the outcome from the police barracks shooting is "a traumatic event. It has touched us to the core that such an event can happen," as Dickson's friends and family lay him to rest.
Meanwhile, Governor Tom Corbett issued a statement on the police barracks shooting.
Corbett said, "Our prayers go out to the family, friends and colleagues of the Pennsylvania State Police trooper who was killed in the line of duty Friday night outside the Blooming Grove, Pike County, state police barracks. We are praying as well, for the full recovery of his colleague who was injured in the incident."
He added, "The incident in Blooming Grove shows, once again, that our first responders face constant danger in order that the rest of us may live in peace and safety."
According to a report by the Times-Tribune, Corbett even wanted to visit the area of the police barracks shooting but he wasn't allowed to do so as officials warned him o "a very dangerous, armed criminal" who has not yet been caught.
Corbett instead ordered all Pennsylvania flags at state facilities to fly at half-staff. He also said he was praying for the Dixon's family as well as Douglas' recovery. According to the AP, Corbett canceled all campaign appearances for the day.
Noonan said the Trooper Alex Douglass had already undergone surgery and he was remains in critical but stable condition.
The overnight manhunt for the person responsible in the police barracks shooting began Saturday. The manhunt reportedly produced no suspects, though a person of interest has been questioned. The killer is still believed to be on the loose.
Noonan added that authorities are talking to hundreds of people as part of the investigation. He also stressed that the "person of interest" is not a suspect in the police barracks shooting.
Trooper Connie Devens, spokeswoman for Troop R in Dunmore said the man is not in custody and he has also not been charged of any crimes.
Meanwhile, Noonan also assured residents that the shooter is not dangerous to the public.
Police barracks shooting killer is still unidentified. According to CBS Local, a $20,000 reward is currently being offered for any information leading to an arrest and conviction of the suspect.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
