Watch CBS News

Son-In-Law Facing Charges In Fatal North Mahoning Shooting

NORTH MAHONING TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- A man is in police custody and facing serious charges following an overnight shooting in Indiana County that left his father-in-law dead.

The Indiana County Coroner's Office has identified the victim as 55-year-old Richard Shotts of Rural Valley. He suffered a gunshot wound to the neck.

Meanwhile, authorities say the Indiana County District Attorney's Office has filed charges of criminal homicide against Shaun Fairman, the victim's estranged son-in-law.

The incident happened around 1 a.m. at a home in the 1500-block of Route 210 Highway in North Mahoning Township.

Tire tracks can be seen in the yard where Fairman parked his vehicle before reportedly storming toward the front porch. Investigators say Fairman was allegedly armed with a loaded rifle and loaded handgun when he arrived at his estranged wife's home.

According to authorities, he was confronted on the front porch by Shotts, his father-in-law, who tried unsuccessfully to diffuse the situation.

"The accused then entered the house through a broken window and attempted to go up the steps to, we're assuming to confront his wife; and that's whenever she was up there, and that's when she shot him," Lt. Bernard Petrovsky, of the Pennsylvania State Police said.

Police say the wife's mother and two children were hiding in the attic while Fairman went room to room searching for his wife.

When he found her in a second-floor bedroom, investigators say she wounded him twice in the shoulder.

"He survived those injuries. He was actually treated and released at Punxsutawney Hospital," said Lt. Petrovsky.

Police and paramedics were called to the scene, and Shotts was pronounced dead there at 2:15 a.m.

Officials say Fairman had been served with a Protection from Abuse Order about two weeks ago, and received divorce papers just hours before the shootings.

His wife's parents were at the house because they were concerned for her safety.

The suspect is being held in Indiana County Jail without bond. The Indiana County DA will discuss the case at a previously scheduled news conference on Monday.

An autopsy on the victim was scheduled for Sunday by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office.

RELATED LINKS:
More News from Indiana County
More Local News

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.