LebTown
(hnt6581 via Flickr/Pennsylvania State Police)
County resident Kenelm L. Shirk was indicted by a federal grand jury on Feb. 3 after he was found driving to Washington D.C. with the alleged intent to murder U.S. Senators.
Shirk was arrested and charged by the Pennsylvania State Police on Jan. 21 after he was found en route to Washington D.C. with an AR-15 rifle, two handguns, rope, and ammunition. Shirk plead not guilty in his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Susan E. Schwab on Feb. 9 and now awaits an April 5 trial without bail.
Shirk lives in Lebanon County near Cornwall but works as an attorney in Ephrata, Lancaster County. He is 71 years old.
Prior to Shirk s arrest, Cornwall Police Department in Lebanon County issued an alert for him after he allegedly threatened to kill his wife and government officials, in addition to planning suicide by cop if confronted by law enforcement.
State police intercepted Shirk driving in Chambersburg, seizing a rifle, handguns and ammunition from his vehicle. Shirk was on his way to Washington, D.C., according to the release.
Shirk pleaded not guilty to the charges. He remains in custody for a trial scheduled to start April 5, according to the release.
The case was investigated by the FBI, state police, the Franklin County DA’s Office, Cornwall Police, and Washington D.C. Capitol Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime M. Keating is prosecuting the case.