Deadly Meeting Rampage: 'Something You Can't Anticipate,' Upper Macungie Official Says

Upper Macungie Township Supervisor Sam Ashmar sent an email to all township departments heads Tuesday morning, noting that all employees need to be vigilant if a resident or visitor appears to be a threat to their safety.

Other than that, there isn't much more township employees can do but become even more vigilant following Monday night's deadly shooting at a Ross Township supervisors meeting, about 20 miles north of Easton.

Dave Fleetwood, a supervisor from neighboring Chestnuthill Township, and two residents were killed, according to the Pocono Record.

"It's something you can't anticipate," Ashmar said. "I don't think that can be prevented anywhere, even with safeguards in place. It's difficult to predict who is unstable and going walk into a meeting to shoot people."

Officials say Monday's shooting allegedly was carried out by self-described junk collector Rockne Newell, 59, who has been fighting with township officials for years over his neglected property, where human feces were found in buckets in 2009, according to a Pocono Record report.

The gunman began shooting into the meeting room at 7:15 p.m. while 15-18 people were inside, WFMZ reports.

Pocono Record reporter Chris Reber described hearing 10 shots and seeing plaster fly off the walls.

Ashmar said his thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed.

Upper Macungie Township does not post police officers on site for its monthly supervisors meetings. However, Upper Macungie Township Police Chief Edgardo Colon or another department representative attends most supervisors meetings.