Upper Darby child rape charges end in gunfire, death in Lower Merion
In the early morning on Wednesday, Lower Merion Township Police officers on patrol spotted a vehicle belonging to a man wanted by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office on charges of child rape.
The officers saw the suspect, Francis Connell Collier, 38, returning to his vehicle on Old Lancaster Road in Bala Cynwyd at 3:48 a.m.and confronted him. Collier drew his gun and began shooting at the officers, who returned fire, killing Collier.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele announced the police-involved shooting, and as per county protocol, county detectives are investigating.
According to court documents, Collier was wanted on multiple felony charges for child rape, aggravated indecent insult with a child less than 13 years old, deviate sexual intercourse with a child, and endangering the welfare of a child. The charges stemmed from an incident in Upper Darby.
This is a developing story. MainLine Now will update it when more information is available.
