Somerset County District Attorney Jerry Spangler and state police are still mulling whether there may have been "an element of self-defense" in Sunday's fatal shooting of a Fort Hill man with a compound bow during an argument.
"We're going to discuss it and come to a decision later this week whether any charges will be filed," said state police Sgt. Ken Karas, commanding officer at the Somerset station.
Tony L. Bittinger, 43, of 332 Mt. Davis Road, Fort Hill, near Confluence, was pronounced dead at the home of the shooting suspect, who lives in Stonycreek. Police said the suspect is 38 years old but have not released his identity.
The incident occurred at 4:45 p.m. during a confrontation over the suspect's wife, according to a report by Trooper Joseph Drzal.
Bittinger lived about 40 miles from the scene of the shooting, near Confluence, and had driven to the home to confront the man about his treatment of his wife, according to Drzal.
During an initial verbal confrontation, the suspect allegedly went into his home, retrieved a compound bow and stepped back onto the porch.
"As Bittinger approached the actor at the front porch of the residence, he was told by the actor to leave his property. Bittinger refused to leave and continued to approach the actor," Drzal wrote in a brief report on the incident.
"As Bittinger approached the actor the second time at the front porch of the residence, the actor shot an arrow into the chest of Bittinger," Drzal said.
Police disclosed yesterday that Bittinger was carrying an unspecified weapon when he was shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police have not disclosed the nature of the relationship between Bittinger and the shooter's wife.
In June, Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law legislation expanding the so-called Castle Doctrine.
Under former law, a person can use deadly force -- without retreat -- in his or her home. Outside the home, using lethal force to defend oneself required first taking steps away from an assailant.
However, under the new law the same standard of self-defense inside the home would apply outside, wherever a person is legally allowed to be.
