(Newswire.net — September 25, 2014) — Eric Frein, 31, allegedly killed Corporal Bryon Dickson and wounded Trooper Alex Douglass outside the barracks in Blooming Grove late on the night of September 12. Dickson was shot twice and died. Douglass was shot but managed to crawl into the barracks lobby to safety.
“He was obviously a big critic of the federal government,” said Frein’s friend named Jacg in the CNN interview, “but he never specifically targeted police when he was talking to me. … Most of his aggression was toward the federal government, and I’m curious as to where news sources have been finding these comments about him killing police officers over social media. … Getting ahold of Eric was notoriously hard among our group of friends because of his lack of social media use.”
Frein’s friends often describes him as an “intelligent” person who never showed malice toward police.
Frein’s sister, 18-year-old Tiffany, told NBC her brother is “not a psycho”:
“He did something messed up, but he’s still a human and he has feelings. … We’re not trying to protect him. He has to suffer the consequences. But he’s still our family. I don’t know where he is or what he’s doing. I hope it’s a big misunderstanding. … He’s not a psycho. He was a good guy to me, at least. Last time my mom talked to him he was happy. So we don’t know where this is coming from.”
However, they all agree that Frein as a military buff and war re-enactor with a particular interest in Eastern European armies.
According to the FBI Frein has studied Russian and Serbian and “claims to have fought along Serbs in Africa.” On photos presented in media, he indeed wore Serbian military uniform that was in use in Serbian army arround 1990-2000.
The suspected cop killer has extensive training as a marksman. The father said his son grew up with guns and was a member of a high school rifle club.
When Frein shoots, his father told authorities, he “doesn’t miss.” said Mr. Frein.
Police say he’s a survivalist who knows his way around the woods where they think he’s hiding. And authorities worry he may be on the hunt for more officers.
Police say he’d been plotting his attack for months
“Based on our investigations, we know Frein has prepared and planned extensively for months or maybe years,” State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said Sunday.
Investigators know Frein “has made statements about wanting to kill law enforcement officers and also to commit mass acts of murder,” State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan said last week.
“He has very strong feelings about law enforcement and seems to be very angry with a lot of things that go on in our society.”
Bivens said while Frein planned his attack and retreat, “we believe we are closing in on him.”
On September 18, the FBI added Frein to the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, a designation reserved for the most dangerous and elusive criminals and enemies of America.