Sunbury, PA: Sunbury police officers allegedly shoots, kills wife; turns gun on self

BY MARK GILGER (STAFF WRITER MARK_G@NEWSITEM.COM)
Published: March 21, 2010

SUNBURY - A veteran Sunbury police officer allegedly shot and killed his wife early Saturday morning outside their Catawissa Avenue home before shooting himself in the head.

Michael William Miller, 37, a corporal with Sunbury Police Department, was listed in critical condition late Saturday night at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

According to reports at the scene, Miller allegedly shot his 38-year-old wife, Robin Miller, three times, including once in the head, left leg and torso, at 2 a.m. in a narrow walkway between their residence at 454 Catawissa Ave. and a neighboring home.

Miller then reportedly shot himself in the head with the same Ruger 9mm pistol. He was initially transported to Sunbury Community Hospital before being flown by Life Flight helicopter to Geisinger.

Robin Miller was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:50 a.m. from multiple gunshot wounds by Northumberland County Chief Deputy Coroner James Gotblob, who was assisted by Deputy Coroner Barry J. Leisenring.

Autopsy and toxicology tests will be conducted by Northumberland County Coroner James Kelley and forensic pathologists at 8 a.m. Monday at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown.

The shootings were the result of a domestic dispute, according to police.

Although the shootings are believed to have been classified as a murder and attempted suicide, state police have not confirmed that assumption. A search warrant for the Miller home and surrounding property was issued for a criminal homicide investigation.

The search warrant said the couple had a history of domestic altercations.

The couple's two daughters, ages 18 and 4, were home when the shootings occurred and reportedly are staying with relatives.

By 2:30 a.m., police had taped off Catawissa Avenue from Augusta to Reagan streets and also Centre Avenue behind the two-story, white-sided house that has an American flag attached to the front of the structure.

Warrant reveals details

According to a search warrant issued Saturday morning by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III, Shamokin, to Trooper James A. Hansel II of state police at Milton, a call was received at 2 a.m. at Northumberland County Communications Center about a domestic disturbance at 454 Catawissa Ave. The caller, who identified herself as an 18-year-old female, believed to be Miller's daughter, said she heard four gunshots fired.

Sunbury police were then dispatched to the scene and found Robin and Michael Miller outside to the rear of the home, suffering from severe head trauma and bleeding. Police said Robin Miller was lying on walkway bleeding profusely from the face and head area. Her husband was found lying on a small back porch bleeding profusely from an apparent wound.

Police said Robin Miller was dead, while Michael Miller, an 11 year member of the Sunbury police force, was still alive.

A Ruger 9mm pistol was located between the two victims and several spent shell casings were found in the immediate area.