Man killed, another injured in Ronco shooting
GERMAN TWP. – State police are searching for a Masontown man suspected in an early Sunday shooting that left one man dead and another in critical condition in a Morgantown, W.Va., hospital. State police said Charles David Springer, 28, of Ronco died after suffering a single gunshot to the chest after he arrived at the intersection of Ronco Road and Short Cut Road with his stepfather, Andrew John King, 45, of Brownsville.
Police said King also was shot in the chest and was taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital, where he was listed in critical but stable condition Sunday night.
Police issued an arrest warrant for Thomas Edward Miller II, 31, of Masontown, claiming he shot Springer and King with a slug from a 12-gauge shotgun around 2:35 a.m. after they pulled up to the intersection, which is next to Miller’s residence.
Fayette County Coroner Dr. Phillip Reilly said Springer was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:13 a.m. by Deputy Coroner Alvin Sapp.
Reilly said Allegheny County Coroner Dr. Cyril Wecht performed an autopsy Sunday afternoon, but he added that he didn’t have an opportunity to review the results fully as of presstime.
Police charged Miller with criminal homicide, attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person for his alleged role in the shooting.
Miller is a 5-foot-9-inch white man, weighing about 200 pounds. with brown hair, brown eyes and numerous tattoos.
Police ask that anyone with information on the incident or Miller’s whereabouts to call investigating officer trooper James Monkelis at 724-439-7111.
Tanya King, Andrew King’s wife and Springer’s mother, said that from what her husband was able to relate to her in the hospital, the shooting was a case of mistaken identity.
“(My husband) was just taking my son home. We own a bar in Masontown. The bar closed and they were just coming home when he opened fire on them,” Tanya King said. “We didn’t know this Tom Miller. I am pretty sure it has to be mistaken identity. We have a black Blazer just like the other guy who lives up the road who (Miller) had arguments with in the past.”
King said she is still trying to comprehend what happened.
“(Springer) was my baby. He was only 28. It’s going to be a long time for me with this. You just can’t ever imagine something like this, not even when it hits you. I don’t think I am going to sleep tonight. I can’t see how I could,” she said.
She said that her husband is scheduled to go through surgery today, and that the doctors said he has a good chance of pulling through it successfully.
Springer was born Jan. 14, 1974, in Uniontown. Surviving are his father, Charles Franklin Springer, and his wife, Laurel Springer, of Smock; his mother, Tanya Springer King, and her husband, Andrew King, of Brownsville; two children: Lacie Springer and Charles Springer Jr., both of Brownsville; eight siblings: Charlotte Springer of Ronco, Christine Teets of West Leisenring, Heather Springer of Bitner, Lori Springer and Eric Springer both of Searights, Andrea King, Matthew King and Gina King, all of Brownsville; his girlfriend, Beth Teets; his favorite aunt, Cathy Young; and a good friend, Nick Hrabb.
Friends will be received in the Jerome W. Shell Funeral Home, 164 S. Mount Vernon Ave., Uniontown, Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday until 11 a.m., the hour of service with the Rev. Gary McFadden officiating.
Interment will follow in Walnut Hill Cemetery.