Man Accused Of Pointing Gun At Mom, Firing Shots That Nearly Hit Pregnant Wife & Son
MANOR BOROUGH (KDKA) -- A man is behind bars in the Westmoreland County Prison, accused firing shots and pointing a gun at his own mother, nearly hitting his pregnant wife and their young son.
Authorities say 35-year-old Mark Crouse is a convicted felon with a violent past. The latest target of his alleged anger was is 71-year-old mother.
"She was terrified," said Chief George Valmassoni, of the Manor Borough Police Department.
The terror reached a boiling point inside Mary Lou Crouse's home on Longview Drive over the weekend when her son alleged wanted a ride to a relative's home to pick up more guns. His mother told him no.
"When she ignored his demand to go to a relative's house, he turned to about a 45-degree angle, fired two shots into the bedroom wall, her bedroom wall, and then turned the gun back at her," said Chief Valmassoni.
Mark Crouse's pregnant wife was standing nearby when the shots were fired. The bullets blasted through the wall and came out of the side of the home, whizzing passed his young son's head.
Police say his mother then took him to the relative's home, and then went to the police.
"Obviously, she was terrified and wanted some kind of assurances he wouldn't get out of jail anytime soon," Chief Valmassoni said.
First, police had to arrest her son, which they did, but not before a confrontation.
"After a 50 minute standoff, our officer was able to talk him out of the house," Chief Valmassoni said.
Booked on aggravated assault and gun charges, Mark Crouse is in the Westmoreland County Prison on $10,000 bond.
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