State police probe shooting death
REDSTONE TWP. – State police have launched a full investigation into the shooting death of a Grindstone man early Thursday morning. Redstone Township police were initially dispatched to the scene at 5:27 a.m., along with Fayette EMS and the Allison One VFD as first responders for an unresponsive male believed to have had a heart attack. Upon arriving, it was discovered that Harold Eugene Payne, 57, had died from a single gunshot wound to the head and the state police were called in to investigate.
“He was found in bed,” said Cpl. James Caccimelio. “We’re not going to rule anything out at this time. We’re gathering all the facts and conducting interviews.”
Numerous state and local police vehicles were in front of the 110 Orchard Drive home throughout the morning Thursday, drawing attention from motorists passing on Route 40, which parallels Orchard. It was late morning before Payne’s body was removed by Roger Victor of the Fayette County Coroner’s Office.
Caccimelio said Payne’s wife, Debra, and 18-year-old son, Brian, were home at the time of his death. Payne’s stepson, 23-year-old Heath Jordan, was not present. Payne’s wife and son voluntarily accompanied police to the Uniontown barracks for questioning. Caccimelio said the family members were cooperating with the investigation.
“When there are any questions, you don’t want to rule anything out,” Caccimelio said. “You do the interviews. You look for consistencies and inconsistencies.”
According to Caccimelio, several firearms were found in the house and have been documented by the police. Caccimelio would not say which weapon was used in the shooting death or where the weapon was located in relationship to the body.
“We have to wait for a coroner’s inquest, though something may develop in the meantime,” Caccimelio said. “We haven’t determined the nature of the death yet.”
According to the Fayette County Coroner’s Office, an autopsy was scheduled for Thursday evening by Dr. Cyril Wecht or his pathology associates. It will be determined after the autopsy whether or not an inquest will be held.
Yellow crime scene tape encircled the Payne’s neatly landscaped white bungalow. Next-door-neighbor Dorothy Marcolini said the Payne’s moved in 15 to 20 years ago and have been good neighbors.
“I’ve been here since 1946. They came here when the kids were three or four years old. They were good neighbors. He worked and she worked, and I used to watch their children,” Marcolini said.
Marcolini said she woke up around 6 a.m. and noticed the ambulance when she went out to get her newspaper.
“Other than that, I’m in a state of shock. I don’t know what’s going on,” Marcolini said. “I just feel so bad about it. I never knew him to have any problems.”
Marcolini said the neighbors on Orchard drive are close and tend to take care of one another. Her neighbor’s sons were like her own children while they were growing up, she said.