Cambria County coroner Jeff Lees has identified the man who was shot and killed by state police Tuesday night outside a home in the Nicktown area of Barr Township.
Investigators say 46-year-old John Rackovan III is accused of opening fire on state troopers who were reportedly attempting to serve a warrant connected to an alleged threats incident last week.
According to a criminal affidavit, Rackovan was allegedly facing terroristic threats and reckless endangerment charges after he reportedly pulled a gun on a neighbor, during an alleged road rage dispute.
When troopers responded to Rackovan’s home on Tuesday evening, authorities say he allegedly emerged from a wooded area, armed with a handgun, and began shooting at police.
Investigators say troopers then returned fire, killing him, with Lees confirming that he was pronounced dead, just after 9 p.m., after his body was found lying outside his home.
Authorities say Rackovan suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the reported firefight and his manner of death has been ruled a homicide —- which is defined as “death at the hands of another.”
The Pennsylvania State Police Troop A Major Case Team is currently investigating the shooting and the troopers involved have been placed on administrative duty, per protocol.
Online court records also show that Rackovan was previously arrested after various drugs, including a large quantity of methamphetamine, was found at his home in July of 2023.