Court papers gave more details about the incident on Memorial Day where a homeless man threatened to blow himself up and charged at officers at the tent city section near the D & L trail.

Cpl. Bruce Broyles of the Lehighton Borough Police Department detailed the case against Jason Shiffert:

At 8:10 a.m., Carbon County Communications Center dispatched Broyles to the area of Lorenzo’s Pizzeria in the 400 block of North First Street for a fire set behind Lorenzo’s.

Officer Justus Altmiller and Broyles had been checking the reported area when they heard the sound of explosions in the area, along with someone yelling.

Police walked to the Lehigh River, and saw a man later identified as Shiffert. He told police he would “put up a fight” and he needed methamphetamine from a man named “Jeff.”

Shiffert, 43, was standing near a small brush fire.

Broyles told Shiffert he needed to put the fire out, as the fire was engulfed and seemed to be spreading. Numerous other small open fires were in the area, some with small propane tanks on top of the flames.

Shiffert said he was armed with both a hatchet and long handled shovel.

He began to retreat back toward a tent, refusing to comply with officers’ commands to stop.

Shiffert chased officers, raising the machete in the air. Both officers had their duty firearms unholstered and aimed at Shiffert, who was given commands to drop the machete.

Shiffert finally dropped the knife and retreated toward the tent, where he armed himself with a propane tank and butane torch. He began to threaten to blow himself and officers up while once again walking toward officers.

Police requested additional units to respond to the area.

Franklin and Mahoning Township police departments arrived, as well as the Pennsylvania State Police. Police established a perimeter around Shiffert, who had barricaded himself inside the tent.

Shiffert said he had numerous propane tanks in the tent and would not hesitate to set himself on fire or blow himself up. He said he wanted to die and needed methamphetamine.

While police waited for drone and special response units, Shiffert lit numerous fires inside his tent, which caused the tent to partially collapse. He also lit a propane tank on fire in his tent.

Shortly thereafter, Shiffert was taken into custody without further incident.

As a result of Shiffert’s actions, Pocono Whitewater rafting and Norfolk Southern Railroad were requested to stop all operations in the area.

Shiffert faces charges of aggravated assault, risking catastrophe, and terroristic threats.

Shiffert is incarcerated in the Carbon County Correctional Facility in lieu of $100,00 straight bail, and scheduled to have a preliminary hearing June 5 before District Judge Eric M. Schrantz of Jim Thorpe.