Police Officer Shot in Freemansburg

10:10 p.m. Suspect George Hitcho Jr., 46, of Freemansburg is in custody and is expected to be charged with homicide, officials say.

Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli held a news conference at 10 p.m. and said the deceased officer is Robert A. Lasso, 31. He joined the department in 2004 and is the son of borough Councilman Donald Lasso.

Morganelli said this may be the first time an officer was killed in the line of duty since 1969 (in terms of homicide rather than a car accident) in Northampton County.

Lasso is survived by his wife and two children.

He was responding to a domestic dispute, officials say.

Pennsylvania State Police (Bethlehem barracks) are handling the investigation. There is more information in this Morning Call report.

9:53 p.m. The death of an officer has been confirmed by the Associated Press, according to this report.

9:25 p.m. Update: A hearse with a police escort left St. Luke's Hospital shortly before 9 p.m., according to this report.

Initial Report:

A police officer in Freemansburg was shot - possibly in the head - according to multiple reports and a suspect may be in custody.

The attack happened around 5:15pm at 126 Washington St.

The officer was rushed to St. Luke's Hospital, Fountain Hill, where a cortege of emergency vehicles was parked outside.