Lucas Gartrell now due in Wayne County Court on January 8 after December hearing was postponed

HONESDALE, WAYNE COUNTY — The man accused of killing a Hideout public safety officer and shooting his own parents is now scheduled for formal arraignment on January 8, 2026, after his December court date was postponed.

Lucas Aron Gartrell, 26, of Lake Ariel was originally set to appear in Wayne County Court of Common Pleas on December 4, but the hearing was continued at the last minute after defense attorney Steven Burlein filed a motion.

One week later, on December 11, Burlein filed a Rule 600 waiver on Gartrell’s behalf — removing the Commonwealth’s deadline to bring the case to trial. Under Pennsylvania law, prosecutors typically must try defendants within 365 days of the criminal complaint or face dismissal. The waiver signals the defense needs additional time to prepare for what is expected to be a complex case.

Gartrell faces 14 charges including murder of a law enforcement officer, which carries a mandatory life sentence without parole upon conviction. He remains in custody without bail at Wayne County Correctional Facility, where he has been held since his arrest on September 28.

The Shooting

According to Pennsylvania State Police, Gartrell shot his parents — who survived — at their Lake Ariel home on the evening of September 28 before fleeing into The Hideout, a gated community of approximately 3,600 homes in Salem Township.

José Duran, 55, a public safety officer at The Hideout, responded to the scene and was shot multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gartrell allegedly fled in a vehicle and led troopers on a pursuit before his arrest. Bail was denied the same day.

The case has drawn additional scrutiny due to an ongoing controversy over the handling of a memorial fund established in Duran’s name. His widow, Tinesha Duran, has publicly demanded a full accounting of donations.

Full Charges

Gartrell faces the following charges:

• Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer (H1) — mandatory life without parole
• Criminal Homicide (F1)
• Criminal Attempt – Criminal Homicide (F1) — two counts
• Assault of Law Enforcement Officer – Firearm Discharged (F1)
• Aggravated Assault – Attempts to Cause SBI (F1) — two counts
• Aggravated Assault – Designated Individual (F1)
• Aggravated Assault – BI with Deadly Weapon (F2) — two counts
• Theft by Unlawful Taking (F2)
• Flight to Avoid Apprehension (F3)
• Fleeing or Eluding Officer (F3)
• Prohibited Offensive Weapons (M1)

All charges were held for court following a preliminary hearing on October 21. The district attorney’s office filed the formal information on October 23.

CASE REFERENCE BLOCK

• Defendant: Lucas Aron Gartrell, 26
• Address: Lake Ariel, PA 18436
• DOB: December 15, 1998
• Docket: CP-64-CR-0000278-2025
• OTN: Y 1015158-4
• Charges: 14 counts (see above)
• Bail: Denied
• Status: Awaiting formal arraignment
• Next Court Date: January 8, 2026
• Defense: Steven Erik Burlein, Wayne County Public Defender
• Prosecutor: Wayne County District Attorney’s Office
• Arresting Agency: PSP Honesdale
• Arresting Officer: Trooper Jeffrey F. Kistle Jr.

Related Coverage:

• Hideout Shooting Suspect’s Arraignment Delayed at Last Minute
• Hideout Shooting Suspect’s Arraignment May Be Delayed in Wayne County Court
• Lake Ariel Man to Face Arraignment in Deadly Hideout Shooting
• Widow of Slain Hideout Officer Demands Answers on Memorial Fund
• Slain Officer’s Widow Says HOA President Knew About Court Changes Before She Did