Police: ‘Highly credible’ Eric Frein sighting reported

Investigators have received a "highly credible" report of a sighting of Eric Frein, the suspect accused of killing a Pennsylvania trooper in an ambush shooting outside state police barracks Sept. 12.

The sighting, characterized as "a surprise encounter," occurred shortly after 9 p.m. Friday near Pocono Mountain East High School in Swiftwater, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens told reporters at a news conference Saturday afternoon.

"It was after dark," Bivens said. "There was a lady that was out for a walk and was walking past the woodline, and she encountered this individual just off the road near the woodline."

He said the woman came within 15 to 20 feet of the man, who appeared to fit Frein's description. The man was carrying a rifle and had mud covering his face, Bivens said.

"This particular case was a very close up sighting," he said. "The individual that reported it had great detail, so our investigators believe this was likely Frein."

Bivens said the focus of the search area has now shifted slightly south, though authorities are continuing to comb Canadensis.