Medical emergency at Sheetz in Patton Township involves death, officials confirm

STATE COLLEGE, Pa.-- A Sheetz convenience store in the State College area closed for more than two hours Thursday morning following a medical emergency, authorities later confirmed the emergency involved death.

Patton Township Police Chief Tyler Jolley said officers and emergency responders were dispatched to the Sheetz at 101 Valley Vista Drive shortly after 7 a.m. for a medical emergency.

The store was closed and completely taped off with police tape until about 9:40 a.m. Multiple agencies, including Ferguson Township Police and Centre LifeLink EMS, were also called to the scene.

Officials did not immediately release information about the person's condition but did confirm a male was taken via ambulance to Mount Nittany Medical Center.

Centre County Coroner Scott Sayers later confirmed his office responded to the scene and a death was involved. He labeled it as "an isolated incident" and told the public that there was no ongoing threat.

Sayers also said any additional information should be addressed by the Patton Township police, who released no further information.

A Sheetz spokesperson said the company is providing mental health resources and support for employees who may have been affected by the incident. He would not further comment on the specifics of the situation.

The temporary closure to traffic and the police there have raised suspicions among locals, including parents whose children go to school in that area.

Some even took to social media with concerns about the safety of their children. The State College Area School District released a statement to ease families that there was no danger to students and schools.

"As many of you might be aware there was an incident this morning in the vicinity of the Valley Vista Sheetz requiring a heavy response from first responders," Nabil Mark, media and communications manager for SCASD, told parents in the message. "We have spoken directly with Patton Township Police who have assured us that none of our schools or students are at risk”.

Patton Township police have not disclosed the nature of the medical emergency. Chief Jolley wrote in an email response that the department wasn't releasing more information Thursday afternoon.

The Sheetz location was back to normal business Thursday morning once first responders left the scene.

The investigation is ongoing.

Cora Rodriguez is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email cir5381@psu.edu.