Naked intruder shot to death after assaulting elderly couple in their home
An elderly man fatally shot a naked intruder who entered his Adams County home and assaulted him and his wife on Wednesday, state police said.
State police identified the intruder as 54-year-old Steven David Shaffer, who was declared dead at the scene. He lived nearby the couple, but they did not know him, Lt. Mark Maygar said during a news conference.
The wife suffered critical injuries in the attack, and she was airlifted to York Hospital. The husband was taken by ambulance to the same medical facility. State police are not releasing the names of the victims at this time.
An autopsy is expected to be completed on Thursday, Maygar said. Shaffer was shot multiple times with a revolver.
State police received numerous calls Wednesday morning about a man acting erratically in the 800 block of Green Springs Road in Berwick Township, near Abbottstown. He was trying to enter an occupied home and banging on cars on the road, forcing traffic to stop.
As troopers were responding to the scene, Shaffer went to the home of the married couple in their late 70s. He entered the home only wearing a shirt and began hitting the elderly man with his fists.
The husband told his wife to retrieve a gun from the nearby bedroom. As she went to get it, Shaffer followed her.
He then assaulted the woman as her husband entered the room.
The husband was able to grab the firearm and fired multiple shots at Shaffer.
The wife sustained significant injuries in the attack and is in critical condition, state police said.
She is in need of thoughts and prayers, Maygar said.
“It’s a very unfortunate incident for a married couple in their late 70s just trying to enjoy their day,” he said.
The husband, who also suffered multiple injuries, is stable, state police said.
The criminal investigation remains ongoing. Investigators are still trying to piece together what happened. State police have been able to interview the husband but not the wife.
Shaffer had been wearing shorts and underwear, but he took them off for unknown reasons before entering the couple’s home, state police said. The front door was unlocked, and the two were sitting in their living room.
When the investigation is completed, it will be turned over to Adams County District Attorney Brian Sinnett to determine if any charges are warranted.
Deputies believe South Valley homicide was self-defense
Deputies are investigating a Saturday morning shooting as a case of self-defense in Southwest Albuquerque.
Jayme Fuller, a Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman, said Tuesday that deputies interviewed the shooter and no charges have been filed.
The incident left 36-year-old Adam Garcia dead.
Deputies responded around 10:30 a.m. to reports of gunfire in the 3200 block of Cypress Circle SW, near Atrisco and Central. Arriving deputies found Garcia shot and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
“At this time, Homicide and Violent Crime are investigating this incident as an act of self-defense,” Fuller said.