New Details Emerge After Forward Twp. Man Killed, Nephew Arrested
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- At 1:14 p.m. Wednesday, 911 dispatchers knew something was terribly wrong when they got a call from Harrison Shaffer, 68.
The police criminal complaint says Shaffer told dispatchers that his nephew, Billy Joe Richter, 47, broke into his home on Pine Avenue in Forward Township in an attempt to steal his guns.
Shaffer told dispatchers Richter fired a shot at him but missed, then reloaded again.
A detective who reviewed the 911 call heard Richter saying "It's God's will."
Shaffer was heard saying "It's not God's will."
Then, the detective heard a gunshot go off and Shaffer stating "God help me."
After that, another gunshot went off and the line went dead.
Once police got to the scene and took cover Richter began firing multiple gunshots through the front door in the direction of police.
Richter fired a total of five to seven shotgun rounds at police.
The Lincoln Borough police chief and an officer from Elizabeth Township peered through the front door and saw Richter inside the doorway with a shouldered shotgun.
Then another round was fired out of the home.
The Lincoln Borough police chief says he asked Richter if anyone inside the home needed medical attention.
That's when Richter said "No, he doesn't need it anymore."
A Forward Township police sergeant says Richter threatened to shoot him right between the eyes.
Officers say Richter was yelling "I am not going to prison. You are going to have to kill me." He then yelled "There is no hostage in here, he is dead."
At 5:45 p.m., the SWAT team was able to get inside the home and arrest Richter after firing numerous rounds of gas inside.
Richter was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the chest.
An officer shot him during the gunfire exchange at the home.
Richter faces a long list of charges including criminal homicide.
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