Police: Suspected Gunman Dead In State College Shootings, 3 Others Killed
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STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (KDKA/AP) -- A series of shootings in State College has left four people dead, including the alleged gunman.
The incident started around 10:30 p.m. Thursday at P.J. Harrigan's Bar & Grill on Atherton Street. The bar is located inside the Ramada Hotel & Conference Center and about two miles from Penn State University's main campus.
Authorities say 21-year-old Jordan Witmer, of Bellefonte, got into an argument with his ex-girlfriend, Nicole Abrino. Sixty-two-year-old Dean Beachy, of Millersburg, Ohio, tried to intervene in the fight.
Witmer then allegedly shot and killed Beachy, then shot Beachy's 19-year-old son, also named Dean.
The 19-year-old was transported to an Altoona Hospital, but died Friday afternoon.
"We had officers here within two minutes. That just again illustrates how quickly something can happen. A response time for that, that's pretty quick. And he had time to do his act here, his deeds here, and leave the scene before police even got here," State College Police Chief John Gardner said.
Albrino was shot in the chest during the altercation. She is currently being treated at a Pittsburgh-area hospital. Her condition is unknown.
Witmer drove away from the bar after the shooting and later allegedly broke into a home, where he fatally shot the homeowner, 83-year-old George McCormick, before turning the gun on himself. The man killed inside his home reportedly had no connection to the shooter, officials said.
"We're still trying to piece together this tragedy and try to make sense of it. But the more I think about it, there's no sense to it," Gardner said.
Police say Witmer acted alone.
"I know we were starting to get some inquiries about whether there was a second shooter or whatever. I just want to allay the public's fear, there is no danger to anyone else. The actor that did the shootings is now deceased and he was tied to both of these," Gardner said.
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