Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | By Karen Kane
An Armstrong County man was shot to death early today during a domestic dispute at his daughter's home, the second time since Friday that domestic conflict led to homicide in Indiana County.
Indiana County Coroner Michael Baker said Richard Earl Shotts, 55, of Rural Valley was shot to death at the North Mahoning home of his daughter, Jessica Fairman.
In a statement, Mr. Baker said Mr. Shotts was killed when his estranged son-in-law, Shaun Fairman, "intruded into the home" of Ms. Fairman just before 1 a.m. He was brandishing a rifle and a handgun, Mr. Baker said in a news release.
"Shotts apparently attempted to defuse the situation and talk to Fairman, but when he placed his own weapon into his pocket, Fairman immediately raised the handgun and shot him through the window," Mr. Baker recounted.
Mr. Baker's statement indicated Shaun Fairman "went from room to room," looking for his estranged wife who was hiding in a second-story bedroom while her children and mother, Candice Shotts, were hiding in an attic.
"When he approached the room where Jessica was hiding, she fired twice, wounding the suspect," according to the coroner's statement.
Mr. Shotts died of a single gunshot wound to his neck. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:15 a.m.
Shaun Fairman was taken by ambulance to Punxsutawney Hospital where he was treated then released to the custody of the Pennsylvania state police.
Charges of criminal homicide have been filed by Indiana County District Attorney Patrick Dougherty.
Mr. Baker said Shaun Fairman had been served with a Protection from Abuse order about two weeks ago and had received notification of divorce proceedings just hours before the shootings.
Mr. Baker reported that Candice Shotts told him she and her husband were staying with their daughter the past two nights because they were afraid their son-in-law would hurt his family.
Funeral arrangements for Mr. Shotts will be handled by the Carson-Boyer Funeral Home in Rural Valley.
Another Indiana County man is in jail today, charged with killing his estranged wife and her two young daughters on Friday night.
