BREAKING: Suspect in killing of PA state trooper spread far-left rhetoric online, may have family connection to law enforcement

The deceased suspect accused of killing a Pennsylvania State Police trooper in a Sunday night murder-suicide has been identified as 32-year-old Jesse Nathan Elks of Honey Brook. Corporal Timothy O'Connor Jr., 40, was fatally shot during a Sunday night traffic stop in West Caln Township.

Investigators say O’Connor stopped a vehicle at the intersection of Route 10 and Michael Road after reports of an erratic driver in Honey Brook. Police say Elks opened fire from inside the vehicle, striking O’Connor, and exited the vehicle before shooting himself with a pistol. Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said investigators are examining the suspect’s background and possible motives.

A Pennsylvania law enforcement source has confirmed that a Facebook account showing far-left leanings belonged to Elks. At the top of the account it states, "It’s not my fault if reality is Marxist." One post stated, "I don't argue with people John Brown would've shot." John Brown was a 19th-century abolitionist who was executed for his role in a failed raid at the Harper's Ferry federal armory. His name was the namesake for the John Brown Gun Club and its spinoffs, which are violent far-left groups. 

Publicly available photos from his Facebook account include phrases such as "Forever Comrade," "Free Palestine," "No war but class war," and "No Borders, No Cops, No Cages."  

Speaking on Human Events Daily on Tuesday, host Jack Posobiec said, "The media won't talk about this, the setup. They won't talk about the suspect. They won't talk about the individual who we're told killed a police officer, a state trooper in the state of Pennsylvania. Why? Because, what we're told, and we're confirming this from a law enforcement source in Pennsylvania, that he had far left sensibilities, that he had extremely far left quotes on his social media pages that ... and logos and icons supporting communism, logos and icons supporting far-leftism."

"These were things that he was talking about over and over, and yet the media won't talk about this. And why is that? And I'll tell you why. Here's why they won't talk about this, because it creates a big problem for them, and people like Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania. And the information that we have from our reporting also confirms that there may be a familial connection between this individual, between this guy, and a former state trooper."

A neighbor of Elks told local news that she did not know him well but remembered driving his child to school. "I drive a school bus for a living, so I did drive his child a couple years ago to school, so I did know who he was." Elks reportedly lived around 500 feet from where the shooting took place. 

Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens, Acting Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, said in a statement, "This is a tragic day for all of us. We have lost a dear member of our family, a hero and member of the Pennsylvania State Police. Our hearts remain with Corporal O'Connor's wife, daughter, and family. We ask for everyone's continued prayers to help them during this devastating time."

Governor Josh Shapiro said, "Pennsylvania tragically lost one of our finest when State Police Corporal Tim O’Connor was killed in the line of duty. My heart breaks for Corporal O’Connor’s wife Casey, their young daughter, and their entire family. Lori and I mourn with the Pennsylvania State Police family and with all of our law enforcement partners. I’ve directed flags across our Commonwealth to be lowered in honor of Corporal O’Connor. May his memory be a blessing."