SCRANTON, Pa. - In a shocking turn of events, 20-year-old Aiden Gabriel Deininger faced criminal charges on Wednesday for his alleged involvement in an ambush-style shooting that critically wounded a Scranton police detective. The suspect, recovering from a gunshot wound, was identified and arraigned at Geisinger Community Medical Center.
Deininger stands accused of firing five bullets from a snub-nosed revolver at Scranton police detectives, specifically targeting an unmarked police vehicle on the city's west side. Detective Kyle Gilmartin bore the brunt of the attack, sustaining two head injuries but miraculously surviving. Lackawanna County District Attorney Mark Powell characterized the incident as "brazen" and "reckless," sending shockwaves through the community.
The ambush unfolded as detectives, including Gilmartin, were investigating reports of gunfire in the early hours of Thursday morning. The suspects, including Deininger, allegedly initiated a live stream on Instagram while at a Sheetz in Carbondale Township. Sheetz played a pivotal role by providing crucial surveillance footage, aiding investigators in identifying a dark-colored sedan linked to the incident.
Law enforcement employed license plate readers and surveillance data to track the sedan's movement from South Scranton to the west side, the site of the ambush. The live stream hinted at their next target being West Scranton, adding urgency to the police response.
"The cops are looking for me right now, and I’m still spinnin," Deininger purportedly declared during the live stream.
The sedan was discovered abandoned at the corner of North Main Avenue and North Swetland Street, where Deininger was located nearby. In a confrontation with the police, Deininger discharged five shots before being hit and collapsing. Both Deininger and Detective Gilmartin were swiftly transported to GCMC for urgent medical care.
During Wednesday's arraignment, Lackawanna County Judge Michael J. Barrasse denied bail for Deininger, underscoring the gravity of the charges, which include three counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer. Detectives Jason Hyler and Detective Sergeant Joseph Lafferty were also targeted in the shooting.
District Attorney Powell pledged to "aggressively prosecute" and seek "maximum penalties" for Deininger, emphasizing that the suspect's actions constituted an ambush. Authorities suspect a connection between this incident and two earlier shootings into homes, leading to the arrest of another individual, Jeremiah Cleveland.
Deininger, now facing charges of attempted homicide and criminal homicide, awaits further legal proceedings. Despite Detective Gilmartin's critical condition, Powell noted that he is doing remarkably well. Powell concluded by expressing zero tolerance for violence against police officers, stating, "This type of violence has no place in Lackawanna County."
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