Preliminary hearing reveals details in fatal Stroud Twp. shooting
Following a March 3 preliminary hearing, Randy Halterman will face charges of murder and attempted murder in a case that has sparked debate on self-defense and the castle doctrine in Pennsylvania.
According to the case affidavit, Frailey told police that the couple happened upon Halterman’s building as they were walking along Paradise Trail on the way to explore the remains of the abandoned Penn Hills Resort.
Frailey said they assumed the structure, which they had seen on previous excursions and was surrounded by garbage and debris, was abandoned.
After Schultz called out to ask if anyone was inside and received no response, the pair entered the building to explore, finding even more garbage and debris. The couple explored inside for 20 to 25 minutes, and Schultz called to Frailey to join him on a second-floor catwalk that led to an open door.
The 20-year-old man died, but the woman survived.
In an unusual move, the district attorney released Frailey s interview with police. She told officers the couple entered what they thought was an abandoned home, even announcing their presence.
After about a half-hour inside, they say Halterman appeared and started shooting. He begged him to stop shooting. He was on his knees and said, Please stop. We don t have any weapons; we were just looking around , Frailey told police. All we saw was a gun, and I got shot. And he pushed me, and I ran down the stairs. And I tripped and fell, and Adam fell on top of me because he kept shooting.
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Chastity Frailey told police that she and her 20-year-old boyfriend Adam Schultz were convinced no one was living in the unlocked, trash-packed building. After the 66-year-old man inside opened fire, she said they begged for their lives.
Randy Halterman of Stroud Township is charged with homicide and attempted homicide after police say he shot and killed a man and wounded a woman in his home.