Officials: 4 shot at multiple locations in Poconos; residents asked to shelter in place

Four people have been shot at multiple locations in the Poconos, and the suspects remain at large, authorities said Monday night as they continue to investigate the incidents along Route 196.

Monroe County Office of Emergency Management officials are asking residents along the Route 196 corridor between A Pocono Country Place and Pocono Farms East  to shelter in place and report suspicious activity.

According to Mount Pocono Mayor Michael Penn’s Facebook page police activity is ongoing in the areas of Coolbaugh and Tobyhanna townships, although the shelter in place order has been lifted for Coolbaugh Township. Multiple police departments are involved.

Authorities said there are four known victims “at four or five crime scenes.”

Penn, in a 7:30 p.m. social media post, reported that “rapid gunfire was reported” in the  A Pocono Country Place community and the Dollar General store in Tobyhanna, at Stogie’s Smoke Shop on Route 196, and at multiple locations. The area spans about 10 miles along the Route 196 corridor, but it was unclear the full extent of the area under investigation. 

Penn did not detail the other areas.

Later Monday night, Penn reported police activity at the Pocono Farms East community, which is also off Route 196.

The incidents began shortly before 5:30 p.m., according to emergency broadcasts from officials in Monroe County in the Poconos region, according to pennlive.com

Check back for more information on this developing story.