Keith A. Hawley, 27, of Union City, Pennsylvania, was fatally shot on December 19, 2018, in the parking lot of a Dollar General on Route 8 during an undercover operation. Troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police had arranged to buy a stolen chainsaw from Hawley; instead of completing the sale he reportedly produced a handgun and attempted to rob the undercover officers. Troopers fired and Hawley was pronounced dead at the scene; no officers were injured.

The troopers involved were placed on administrative leave while the incident was reviewed. The Erie County District Attorney’s Office later concluded the use of deadly force was justified. Investigators also determined Hawley was not acting alone; Robert S. Hull Jr. was implicated in the conspiracy to rob the undercover officers and later pleaded guilty, receiving a state prison sentence of four and a half to ten years.

Hawley is remembered by family for his love of the outdoors, his work on a farm, and his sons and horses. Does anyone have information about Hawley’s activities in late 2018 or about the events that led up to the planned meeting?