Shooting suspect captured by police
State police captured a Smithfield woman on the run from the law after she shot her mother during an argument in Georges Township last week. Rachael Ann Rhome, 25, was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Joseph M. George Jr. on charges of attempted homicide and aggravated assault Sunday evening, one week after the alleged shooting.
She was placed in the Fayette County Prison on $100,000 straight cash bond following her arraignment.
Details of how and where Rhome was captured were not immediately available.
Trooper Timothy Kirsch said police initially secured a warrant for Rhome’s arrest after she shot her mother, Angela Lynn Baker, 47, in the side during an argument at a residence at 51 Rose Drive in Strickland Estates Mobile Home Park July 4.
According to Kirsch, the incident began around 9:45 p.m. when Rhome and Baker were arguing. Sometime during the fight, Kirsch said Rhome used a handgun to shoot Baker in the left hip. The bullet traveled through Baker’s leg and then exited the back of her thigh, police said.
He said that after the shot was fired, Tina Strickland, who owns the mobile home park, arrived at the residence and tried to intervene.
Kirsch said Rhome told Strickland to “mind her own business” and pistol-whipped her in the face, causing cuts and bruising.
Rhome then fled on foot, Kirsch said.
Baker was flown by medical helicopter to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va., for treatment.
A preliminary hearing for Rhome will be held at a later date before Magisterial District Judge Randy S. Abraham.