New details released in Redstone Township home invasion and shooting
A Smithfield man allegedly burglarized at least two other properties before he was shot during a reported home invasion Friday night.
Adam Earl Morgan, 39, of Smithfield remained in a hospital in police custody Monday where he was recovering from gunshot wounds.
State police said Parker Trempus, 18, called 911 at about 10 p.m. saying he shot an intruder twice with a pistol at 6405 National Pike. Law enforcement from Redstone Township, West Brownsville and German Township followed a blood trail to Lafayette Memorial Park and found Morgan unconscious but breathing with gunshot wounds to his left buttock and left thigh. He was treated on the scene and flown to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. The local police departments called state police units to investigate.
Trempus was questioned, and told police he was home alone when the man entered the house with his face covered. He took a gun owned by his dad and attempted to shoot, but it jammed, police said. He then grabbed another of his dad’s guns and shot Morgan with the pistol, according to court paperwork. Police said Morgan fled after he was shot a second time.
A bullet casing was found in the home’s entryway and in the kitchen. A casing and another round were found in the family room, along with a large amount of blood. An additional casing was found in the back of the house, police said.
Fayette County District Attorney Rich Bower determined Trempus would not be charged, citing the Castle Doctrine, which permits people to protect themselves in their homes.
Police found a damaged cellphone and a screw driver near Morgan in the memorial park. Along the blood trail, police found cash and jewelry and a pillowcase with jewelry, cash and a shattered piggy bank. A neighbor, Sue Shashura at 6415 National Pike, discovered her living room window was shattered, a pillow was stripped of its case and cash and jewelry were missing. An RV, parked outside, also showed signs of forced entry. Ronald Diguglielmo of 6423 National Pike discovered both chain link fence gates on his property were opened, according to court documents.
Morgan was charged with three counts of burglary, two counts of criminal trespass and one count each of theft, criminal mischief and loitering and prowling at nighttime. Charges were filed Saturday before Magisterial District Judge Mike Defino Jr.