Pa. man killed in Upper Darby clash with police

Update: Police said Wednesday Anthony Galla, a former part-time police officer for five departments in Northumberland and Schuylkill counties, was armed with an assault rifle, 500 rounds of ammunition and 4 handguns when he was shot by authorities.

"This was Galla's last stand," said Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood. "There is no doubt he was ready for war."

"This was about him going to take himself out in a blaze of glory," said Chitwood.

Earlier Story:

A former police officer who was sought on attempted-murder charges was shot and killed by law enforcement officials during a confrontation at an Upper Darby hotel Tuesday, authorities said.

Anthony Galla, 31, was wanted in connection with a shooting in Mount Carmel, Northumberland County, about 1 a.m. Tuesday.

Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said that Mount Carmel police suspected Galla of shooting the boyfriend of his former girlfriend.

The U.S. Marshals Service joined the investigation and found Galla shortly before 6 p.m. at the Summit Inn Hotel on Township Line Road, where his brother, whom police did not name, had rented a room.

Marshals went to the hotel and saw Galla, his brother, and Galla's girlfriend coming out of a room, then going back in, police said. The officers had been told that Galla was a former law enforcement officer and had military experience, Chitwood said, and "there were indications of possible suicide by police."

Later, Galla's brother left the room again, then ran back in, screaming, "Cops!" Marshals took him into custody, then went into the room. One or more shots were fired.

Chitwood said that Galla was killed; under his body was a .40-caliber Glock. A bag nearby held a bulletproof vest and ammunition, he said.

Galla's brother and girlfriend, were taken into custody, Chitwood said.