DA Clears Armed Victim Who Returned Fire After Road Rage Suspect Shot at Him in Fayette County
A Pennsylvania man who grabbed a gun and returned fire after a road rage pursuit turned into a shooting will not face charges, while the man accused of firing first is now charged with attempted homicide.
As reported by WTAE, 39-year-old Richard Lee Vernon Jr. allegedly opened fire after following the victim through Luzerne Township on Sunday evening. The victim told police Vernon first tried to run him off the road, then followed him down Main Street.
The victim ran inside his sister’s home and waited until he heard Vernon’s truck leave. He then drove to his mother’s home, where Vernon spotted him again.
According to the criminal complaint, the victim saw Vernon with a gun and ran inside to grab his father’s firearm. When he came back outside, Vernon allegedly pointed his gun at him and fired.
One of those rounds nearly struck a woman who was in the shower inside the home. District Attorney Mike Aubele said neighboring homes were also endangered, though no one was injured.
The victim fired back. The District Attorney’s Office determined he acted in lawful self-defense and will not be charged.
Vernon told police a different story. He denied shooting or pointing a gun at the victim, claiming his passenger had fired instead and saved his life by doing so. According to the Observer-Reporter, that passenger initially backed his account but later told troopers Vernon was the one who fired.
Court documents also state Vernon asked a neighbor to hold onto a gun for him that night, and that he is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior charge.
Vernon faces charges including attempted homicide, aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure, prohibited possession of a firearm, and tampering with physical evidence. He was denied bond and lodged in the Fayette County Jail, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 15.
As reported by WTAE, 39-year-old Richard Lee Vernon Jr. allegedly opened fire after following the victim through Luzerne Township on Sunday evening. The victim told police Vernon first tried to run him off the road, then followed him down Main Street.
The victim ran inside his sister’s home and waited until he heard Vernon’s truck leave. He then drove to his mother’s home, where Vernon spotted him again.
According to the criminal complaint, the victim saw Vernon with a gun and ran inside to grab his father’s firearm. When he came back outside, Vernon allegedly pointed his gun at him and fired.
One of those rounds nearly struck a woman who was in the shower inside the home. District Attorney Mike Aubele said neighboring homes were also endangered, though no one was injured.
The victim fired back. The District Attorney’s Office determined he acted in lawful self-defense and will not be charged.
Vernon told police a different story. He denied shooting or pointing a gun at the victim, claiming his passenger had fired instead and saved his life by doing so. According to the Observer-Reporter, that passenger initially backed his account but later told troopers Vernon was the one who fired.
Court documents also state Vernon asked a neighbor to hold onto a gun for him that night, and that he is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior charge.
Vernon faces charges including attempted homicide, aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure, prohibited possession of a firearm, and tampering with physical evidence. He was denied bond and lodged in the Fayette County Jail, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 15.
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