HONESDALE, NY — Pennsylvania State Police arrived at a residence in on Balsam Swamp Road in Prompton at about 2:50 am on June 25 after family members reported that James Sorrento had fired a shotgun at them.

Sorrento, 36, had been suffering from mental health issues, and had refused to take his medication. Wayne County District Attorney Patrick L. Robinson said that Sorrento refused to cooperate with police.

At a news conference in Hondesdale with Captain Christopher Paris of the Pennsylvania State Police, Robinson said the end of the standoff came at about 7:30 am. A press release from Robinsons office says, “Sorrentino refused to cooperate with the Pennsylvania State Police and pointed multiple weapons in their direction on numerous occasions. The Pennsylvania State Police did not fire at Sorrentino despite this activity. Ultimately at approximately 7:15 am Sorrentino fired a weapon at members of PSP, who returned fire. Sorrentino was pronounced dead at the scene."

He said three officers had been placed on administrative leave as a result of the incident, indicating three officers discharged their weapons. 

Robinson said “Initially it appears that PSP exercised great restraint in this incident. However, this matter will be thoroughly investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police Troop R Major Case team in conjunction with the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office and Chief County Detective Peter Hower will be an integral part of that investigation.”

Paris said that the officers would be interviewed regarding the incident after a 72-hour period, which is standard practice throughout Pennsylvania, allowing officers time to recover from what is often a stressful event.

Sorrentino had recently been released from a hospital and it was not yet known if he was allowed to own or be near guns, now is it yet known who owns the guns Sorrentino brandished.

There will be a joint investigation by Pennsylvania State Police and Robinson’s office.  Robinson said he is thankful that no officer or member of the general public was injured. He said, “This is an extremely sad situation for the Sorrentino family and our prayers and condolences go out to them."

A press release from the office of Wayne County Coroner Edward Howell released On  Jube 26 said, “The post mortem examination resulted in the determination that Mr. Sorrentino sustained a gunshot wound to the neck ; the fatal gunshot wound was not fired by Sorrentino. Therefore, the cause and manner of death are as follows: Cause of Death: Gunshot Wound to the Neck; Manner of Death: Homicide.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Pennsylvania State Police at Honesdale at 570-253-7126.