3 Dead After Shooting On Pennsylvania Turnpike

SOMERSET, Pa. (WJZ) -- An attempted toll robbery turns deadly. The suspect, a retired Pennsylvania state trooper, is shot at the scene. He killed two people working at the Fort Littleton toll plaza in Somerset--three hours northwest of Baltimore.

Marcus Washington with what happened leading up to this horrific incident.

On Sunday morning, Pennsylvania State Police began investigating an attempted robbery that left three men dead.

State police say just before 7 a.m., 55-year-old retired state trooper Clarence Briggs walked into the Fort Littleton toll plaza in Somerset, Pennsylvania with a gun.

Once inside, they say he stole money and attempted to tie up two employees before an altercation ensued, forcing Briggs to run from the building.

Once outside, Briggs was confronted by private security guard, 71-year-old Ronald Heist, and 57-year-old Danny Crouse, who was one of the two employees tied up inside the building.

Briggs shot the men, killing them both.

"The first responding trooper that arrived on scene encountered [Briggs] from a distance. There was an exchange of gunfire between the trooper and [Briggs]. [Briggs] was shot and succumbed to his injuries at the scene," said Captain David Cain, Pennsylvania State Police.

Police say the other employee inside the building was able to escape unharmed.

"We'll expend whatever resources we need to make sure that we find out what's happened and to make sure our system is secure and our employees are protected. While that's going on, we'll make sure that we have counseling available for our employees," said Sean Logan, chairman, Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Police say Danny Crouse worked for the Pennsylvania Toll less than three months. Ronald Heist was a retired police officer.

The Fort Littleton plaza should reopen by 9 a.m. Monday.