Slaying remains mystery

BY STEVE MCCONNELL

Times-Shamrock Writer

Joshua David Rogers and Gilberto Alvarez had a “purpose” motivating them to head out to a ruralSusquehannaCountyproperty where they were shot dead by a man who was staying there in his father’s home, investigating Trooper Mark Keyes said last week.

“We believe they had an intention of going there,” Trooper Keyes said.

As to what that purpose may have been, the trooper declined to elaborate, citing an ongoing investigation – one of several revelations on Tuesday that only raised more questions as the probe of the Feb. 11 double homicide continued.

“The unique thing about this, he is claiming self-defense, but he is not telling us why,” Trooper Keyes said of suspect Lloyd Richard Thomas, 45.

The Hallstead resident has been charged with two felony counts of criminal homicide after the two men were found dead of gunshot wounds. State police found Thomas holding a pistol and a rifle near his father’s home at 144 Pine Ayers Road.

In a brief interview with troopers before he requested legal representation, Thomas told troopers he shot the men after they approached his home, claiming it was self-defense, arrest papers said.

Bail was denied, and Thomas remains in the Susquehanna County Correctional Facility.

Rogerswas shot once in the hand and once in the abdomen, Trooper Keyes said, while Alvarez was shot once in the head. He declined to specify what kind of gun was used.

Susquehanna County Coroner Anthony Conarton ruled the manner of death forRogers, 30, of Hallstead, and Alvarez, 28, as homicide, but declined to comment further because he did not want to compromise the investigation.

State police have not established their own motive for the slayings, the trooper added.

“We’re just waiting for a lot of forensic tests to come back,” he said.

A shotgun was also found on the property, Trooper Keyes said. There is a “possibility” that gun may have been in the possession of one of the victims at the time of the shooting, although police do not know at this time whether it was fired; ballistic tests are pending, he said.

But Susquehanna County District Attorney Jason Legg said.

Thomas indicated during his talk with state police he didn’t see the victims with “any guns.”

“He said he reacted,” Legg said of Thomas’ statement to troopers. “He didn’t articulate any threats, any threatening movements.”

‘He couldn’t even talk’

Even before Feb. 11, gunfire was not unusual for neighbors near the Thomas property, a home owned by Hayden Thomas that his son, Lloyd, lived in and to which he had relocated his gun shop after his Lenox Twp. store burned down in 2010.

Lloyd Thomas went shooting at a range on the property, neighbors told state police investigators.

Hayden Thomas said he was at a gun show inPhiladelphiaon Saturday and that his son was staying at the house inGreat Bendto take care of his father’s dog while he was away.

“Normally he doesn’t live here,” the elder Thomas said. “He normally lives atCrystal Lake.”

Hayden Thomas said he was planning to see his son at the Susquehanna County Prison last week.

He had last seen his son briefly at the state police station in Gibson “for about two minutes Saturday night” after his arrest.

“He couldn’t even talk to me,” Thomas said. “I just told him I loved him and we’d be with him, and that was it. … He just looked very scared and nervous.”

Neighbors told state police they heard gunshots that day and they also spotted Lloyd Thomas with a pistol in his hand, running past the home with two dogs, according to the complaint.

‘It will come out’

Alvarez and Rogers served in the Army together, and Alvarez was living with him after moving toSusquehannaCountyfromFloridato work for a natural gas drilling company, Trooper Keyes andRogers’ father, George, said.

“He joined up when his country called,” he said. “He was a decorated combat veteran.”

He said his son was an Army veteran who served a combat tour inAfghanistanand spent time overseas with the military inKorea. He joined the military beforeSept. 11, 2001, his father said.

George Rogers said his son – his “only boy” – lived “just up the road” from where he met his death.

He declined to say why his son and his friend were at the Thomas property on Saturday.

“It will come out. I’m not going to say anything more about that,” Mr. Rogers said.

“My son was murdered – period.”

Denis O’Malley, Times-Shamrock staff writer, contributed to this report.