Two individuals are dead, and a suspect is in custody following a deadly shooting in Armstrong County early Wednesday morning. According to a criminal complaint, Kittanning police were dispatched to the 100 block of Shaffer Lane in Washington Township around 2:40 a.m. in response to reports of gunfire that resulted in two fatalities.
Investigators determined that the suspect and the victims, aged 27 and 32, had been at Ruby’s Den Burger & Spirits Bar and Grill before the shooting. The suspect, identified as 56-year-old Scott Shaffer, invited the victims to his home. Shaffer arrived at his residence on Shaffer Lane before the victims and retrieved a rifle, according to the criminal complaint. He reportedly instructed his 18-year-old daughter, who was home then, to remain in her room and not leave.
During the early hours of Wednesday morning, Shaffer allegedly shot both victims. Following the incident, he asked his daughter to hide the weapon. However, his daughter instead contacted 911 to report the shooting, the complaint stated.
Authorities confirmed that the two victims died from gunshot wounds at the scene. Shaffer, a resident of Adrian, Pennsylvania, was taken into custody and admitted to police that he had shot the victims. He now faces criminal homicide charges. Pennsylvania State Police Troop D, Kittanning, and Armstrong County Coroner Brian K. Myers confirmed the deaths during the incident.
Shaffer was arraigned on January 8 by Kittanning Magisterial District Judge Kenneth Bussard, who denied him bail. He is currently being held at the Armstrong County Jail. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for January 22 at 2 p.m.
