A Lake Ariel man accused in the deadly shooting at The Hideout community in Salem Township is scheduled to appear for formal arraignment next month in the Wayne County Court of Common Pleas.

According to court records, 26-year-old Lucas Aron Gartrell faces 14 felony and misdemeanor charges, including criminal homicide, murder of a law enforcement officer, multiple counts of attempted homicide and aggravated assault, theft, and fleeing police. His arraignment is set for December 4, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in the historic courtroom on the third floor of the Wayne County Courthouse in Honesdale.

The September 28 Shooting

State Police say the violence unfolded on September 28, 2025, inside Gartrell’s home in The Hideout, a gated community near Lake Ariel. Troopers allege that Gartrell opened fire on his parents after a domestic dispute escalated, prompting a response from community public safety officers.

When responders arrived, police say Gartrell fired at them, fatally striking Officer José Alberto Duran Jr., a 55-year-old member of The Hideout’s Public Safety Department. Duran was pronounced dead at the scene. Two others were reportedly injured before Gartrell was taken into custody by Pennsylvania State Police from the Honesdale barracks.

Charges and Court Status

The official Wayne County docket (CP-64-CR-0000278-2025) shows that Gartrell was arrested the same day and denied bail by Magisterial District Judge Bonnie L. Carney. He remains in custody.

The charges filed against him include:

• Criminal Homicide (18 § 2501 § A)
  
• Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer – First Degree (18 § 2507 § A)
  
• Two counts of Criminal Attempt – Homicide (18 § 901 § A)
  
• Multiple counts of Aggravated Assault (18 § 2702 §§ A1–A4)
  
• Assault of a Law Enforcement Officer – Firearm Discharged (18 § 2702.1 § A1)
  
• Theft by Unlawful Taking (18 § 3921 § A)
  
• Flight to Avoid Apprehension (18 § 5126 § A)
  
• Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police (75 § 3733 § A)
  
• Possession or Sale of Offensive Weapons (18 § 908 § A)
  

Wayne County District Attorney A.G. Howell formally filed the criminal information on October 23, 2025, advancing the case to the Court of Common Pleas. Gartrell is represented by Public Defender Steven Erik Burlein of Honesdale.

Community and Legal Response

The deadly encounter stunned residents of The Hideout, a usually quiet residential and vacation community. Many described the event as “unthinkable” and “absolutely shocking,” noting that Officer Duran was well-liked and respected for his dedication to public safety.

District Attorney Howell has publicly stated that his office will pursue the case “to the fullest extent of the law,” emphasizing the seriousness of the murder of a law enforcement officer. Under Pennsylvania law, a conviction for first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer carries a mandatory life sentence without parole.

Next Court Appearance

The formal arraignment on December 4, 2025, will be Gartrell’s first appearance in Common Pleas Court. At that hearing, the charges will be read, and he will be asked to enter a plea. The court will also schedule subsequent pre-trial proceedings. Until then, Gartrell remains incarcerated with no bail. The case continues to draw local attention as both law enforcement and the community seek justice for Officer Duran and healing after one of Wayne County’s most violent incidents in recent memory.