A Fayette County man is accused of killing another in a drive-by shooting this week near Brownsville.
Shawn Lee Lowther, 30, of 610 Spruce St., Merrittstown, is charged with one count of homicide in the death of Christopher Hackett, 21, who had resided in the Luzerne Township village of Hiller. Lowther was placed in the Fayette County Prison without bond after his 3:30 a.m. arraignment Thursday before Redstone Township District Justice Michael Defino.
State police at Uniontown said the shooting incident began when Lowther's wife, Shannon, was assaulted by Hackett.
Hackett was drinking and talking to people outside of South Hills Terrace, a public housing project in Luzerne Township, at about 8 p.m. Tuesday. Shannon Lowther drove up in a red Chevrolet Cavalier with a bumper sticker that reads "Fear This."
Police say Hackett walked over to the car to speak with the woman. During the conversation, Hackett hit her in the left side of the face with a bottle. Lowther then drove away.
Fifteen to 20 minutes after the assault, police said, the same red car drove into the neighborhood. Hackett remained outside. The Cavalier slowed as it approached where he stood.
"There he is," Shannon Lowther yelled, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed in support of the charges.
A man in a yellow ball cap pointed a long-barreled gun at Hackett and fired two shots. One of them hit the 21-year-old in the chest, killing him.
Police executed a search warrant at the Lowther residence late Wednesday night. Shannon Lowther was wearing a patch over her left eye when the police interviewed her.
Police said the Lowthers have two children who told neighbors about the drive-by shooting.
According to the affidavit, Shannon Lowther indicated that her husband was the shooter.
Shannon Lowther does not appear to be charged in the incident. A call to Trooper Gregory P. Marchewka, the investigating officer, was not returned yesterday.
Shawn Lowther faces a preliminary hearing before Brownsville District Justice Herbert Mitchell.
