State police probe shooting incident
Local emergency crews were busy throughout the day Tuesday, searching an area known as Clinton in Saltlick Township for two boys and two men all suspected in an apparent shooting early Tuesday morning. According to state police trooper John F. Marshall, Thomas Wingrove of 417 Buchanan Road in Normalville reported a single bullet fired near his residence struck his tow truck Tuesday morning.
Marshall said state police ground teams and helicopters were called in to search the area for the suspects as well as the weapon used in the shooting.
Divers from the Scottdale Volunteer Fire Department and Connellsville’s New Haven Hose Volunteer Fire Co. shared the duty of searching Poplar Run for the weapon.
New Haven Assistant Chief Kevin Karwatsky described the waterway as “crystal clear,” but did not locate the gun.
“We’ll keep trying,” he said as he watched Scottdale Chief Leslie “Buzz” Myers immerse himself in the 30-degree water.
On a nearby bank, another firefighter held onto a rope that was tied to his underwater partner.
“It gives us an idea where we are at so we don’t stay in the same spot,” said Karwatsky.
A stolen 2004 Chevrolet Suburban was recovered at the scene and Erin Edward Burnsworth, 18, was taken into police custody.
Burnsworth was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Wendy Dennis and charged with receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy and remanded to the Fayette County Prison in lieu of a $15,000 straight cash bond.
Marshall said Tuesday night that the two juvenile suspects were taken into custody and then released to their parents Tuesday evening.
A preliminary hearing for Burnsworth was set for Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Robert Breakiron.
No further details regarding the shooting were available at press time.