Latest news with #Scranton
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Lowe's homicide victim's sister says company ignored ‘red flag'
The sister of a Scranton man shot and killed while working overnight Saturday at the Scranton Lowe's Home Improvement says the store could have done more to protect her brother. Christina Moeller-Baxter alleged in a Facebook post Wednesday afternoon that the company failed to act. She referenced the criminal complaint, which stated accused gunman Christopher Wasnetsky of Dalton emailed Lowe's management and human resources department before he allegedly shot Jeffrey Moeller Jr., 44, to death. He said he was going to shoot Moeller in the email and said it could have been avoided if someone had stopped Moeller from harassing him. Wasnetsky had filed complaints against Moeller that were investigated and unfounded, the store manager told police. 'Shame on you, Lowe's Home Improvement!!' Christina Moeller-Baxter wrote in the Facebook post tagging the company. 'You had the chance to protect him and you chose not to. You ignored every red flag. Now our family is shattered forever because of your failure to act!' Moeller-Baxter also said her brother made reports to the company about Wasnetsky. 'To our knowledge, (Wasnetsky) had been making troubling comments directed at Jeffrey. Despite Jeffrey's repeated reports, nothing was done,' she posted on a GoFundMe page raising money for her brother's wife and three daughters. Lowe's Companies Inc. did not immediately respond to email and phone requests for comment Thursday. It had released a statement after the shooting that said the company is working closely with law enforcement's investigation. 'The safety of our associates and customers is our top priority, and we are deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence,' the statement read. Husband, dad and hard worker Moeller's obituary, published by Zygmunt-Murtie Funeral and Cremation Service in Orange County, New York, paints Moeller as a committed father and family man. Moeller, born July 15, 1980, in Suffern, New York, is survived by Keisha Moeller, his wife; their daughters, Olivia, 11, Carter, 8, and Peyton, 6; his father, Jeffrey Moeller; brother, Gary Moeller, and sister. Moeller built a life in Scranton rooted in dedication to his family and community, and died while working at a job he took great pride in, the obituary stated. 'He will be remembered for his warm heart and deep love he held for his family,' the obituary read. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date, and a private burial will take place at the Seamanville Cemetery in Monroe, New York. The GoFundMe page had raised more than $20,000 by 4 p.m. Thursday, exceeding its $18,000 goal. Continuing investigation Wasnetsky was originally charged with aggravated assault, pending the results of an autopsy. On Monday, the charges were amended to include first- and third-degree murder, according to a criminal complaint. Wasnetsky remains in Lackawanna County Prison without bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on June 30 before District Judge Laura Turlip.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Lowe's homicide victim's sister says company ignored ‘red flag'
The sister of a Scranton man shot and killed while working overnight Saturday at the Scranton Lowe's Home Improvement says the store could have done more to protect her brother. Christina Moeller-Baxter alleged in a Facebook post Wednesday afternoon that the company failed to act. She referenced the criminal complaint, which stated accused gunman Christopher Wasnetsky of Dalton emailed Lowe's management and human resources department before he allegedly shot Jeffrey Moeller Jr., 44, to death. He said he was going to shoot Moeller in the email and said it could have been avoided if someone had stopped Moeller from harassing him. Wasnetsky had filed complaints against Moeller that were investigated and unfounded, the store manager told police. 'Shame on you, Lowe's Home Improvement!!' Christina Moeller-Baxter wrote in the Facebook post tagging the company. 'You had the chance to protect him and you chose not to. You ignored every red flag. Now our family is shattered forever because of your failure to act!' Moeller-Baxter also said her brother made reports to the company about Wasnetsky. 'To our knowledge, (Wasnetsky) had been making troubling comments directed at Jeffrey. Despite Jeffrey's repeated reports, nothing was done,' she posted on a GoFundMe page raising money for her brother's wife and three daughters. Lowe's Companies Inc. did not immediately respond to email and phone requests for comment Thursday. It had released a statement after the shooting that said the company is working closely with law enforcement's investigation. 'The safety of our associates and customers is our top priority, and we are deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence,' the statement read. Husband, dad and hard worker Moeller's obituary, published by Zygmunt-Murtie Funeral and Cremation Service in Orange County, New York, paints Moeller as a committed father and family man. Moeller, born July 15, 1980, in Suffern, New York, is survived by Keisha Moeller, his wife; their daughters, Olivia, 11, Carter, 8, and Peyton, 6; his father, Jeffrey Moeller; brother, Gary Moeller, and sister. Moeller built a life in Scranton rooted in dedication to his family and community, and died while working at a job he took great pride in, the obituary stated. 'He will be remembered for his warm heart and deep love he held for his family,' the obituary read. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date, and a private burial will take place at the Seamanville Cemetery in Monroe, New York. The GoFundMe page had raised more than $20,000 by 4 p.m. Thursday, exceeding its $18,000 goal. Continuing investigation Wasnetsky was originally charged with aggravated assault, pending the results of an autopsy. On Monday, the charges were amended to include first- and third-degree murder, according to a criminal complaint. Wasnetsky remains in Lackawanna County Prison without bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on June 30 before District Judge Laura Turlip.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Dalton man charged with murder after shooting co-worker at Lowe's
A Dalton man who told police he shot a co-worker at Lowe's Home Improvement in Scranton early Saturday now faces first- and third-degree murder charges, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday. Police originally charged Christopher Wasnetsky, 36, with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon Saturday, pending an autopsy of the victim, Jeff Moeller. The autopsy determined Moeller, 44, of Scranton, died from multiple gunshot wounds, Lackawanna County Coroner Tim Rowland said. Rowland added the manner of death was ruled homicide. The autopsy found Moeller suffered three gunshot wounds — one across the back and two directly to the head, according to a criminal complaint. Officers responded to Lowe's at 12:36 a.m. for the report of a man having been shot in the store.. They detained Wasnetsky near the front entrance, police said. Once inside, they found Moeller on the ground in a pool of blood, officers said. He was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds amid four bullet casings, according to a criminal complaint. Officers transported Moeller to Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton, where he was pronounced dead, police said. Wasnetsky called in the shooting, stating, 'I'd like to report a shooting at the Dickson City Lowe's. I was the person that did it,' police said. The store is located partly in Scranton and Dickson City. During a recorded interview at police headquarters, Wasnetsky told an officer Moeller, a co-worker, had been harassing him and no one would do anything about it, according to a criminal complaint. Wasnetsky also said he bought a handgun with the intent to shoot Moeller and practiced using it in his backyard. Wasnetsky told police his plan was to shoot Moeller and then shoot himself. Additionally, Wasnetsky told police he sent an email to Lowe's management and human resources department before the shooting, stating it could have been avoided if someone stopped the harassment, according to a criminal complaint. The Lowe's store manager informed investigators Wasnetsky filed harassment-type complaints against Moeller and each complaint was investigated and unfounded, police said. A Lowe's corporate spokesperson called the shooting a 'senseless act of violence.' Wasnetsky told police he approached Moeller on Saturday while he was working on a machine and shot him in the chest without warning, according to a criminal complaint. When Moeller fell to the ground and asked for help, Wasnetsky told officers he shot Moeller twice in the head and in the chest because he didn't want him to suffer. Officers located a semiautomatic handgun, which appeared to be unloaded, on the ground near a shopping cart about 30 feet from the victim, according to a criminal complaint There was also a live round on the ground and a magazine next to the handgun — a Springfield 9 mm, police said. 'The safety of our associates and customers is our top priority, and we are deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence,' Meagan Bernstein, senior director of external communications for Lowe's Companies Inc., said in an email. 'We're working closely with law enforcement … as it's an active investigation.' Wasnetsky remains in Lackawanna County Prison after bail was denied. A preliminary hearing is set for June 30 at 10:30 a.m. A GoFundMe page seeking donations for Moeller's wife, Keisha, and three daughters had raised more than $13,500 toward its $18,000 goal by 4 p.m. Monday. Attempts to reach the organizer, Christina Moeller, were not immediately successful. Kassie Sierra of Scranton, who said she worked with Moeller at Lowe's, remembered him as a 'wonderful, kind man and great friend.' '(He) worked hard for his wife and daughters, and he always had a smile,' she said. Wasnetsky (SUBMITTED)
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Diamondbacks sign right-hander Anthony DeSclafani to $1 million, 1-year contract
PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks signed right-hander Anthony DeSclafani to a $1 million, one-year contract on Sunday. DeSclafani, 35, opted out of a minor league deal with the New York Yankees on Thursday. He pitched for their Triple-A team at Scranton, where he had a 4.50 ERA in five starts. DeSclafani made his Arizona debut in Sunday's 8-2 loss to San Diego , allowing two runs in 2 1/3 innings, including Elias Díaz's home run.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Back Mt. Chamber to host 'Lunch & Learn' -- Human Trafficking: Hiding in Plain Sight
Jun. 14—DALLAS, Pa. — The Back Mountain Chamber, in partnership with Valentine's Jewelry, will present a Lunch and Learn event titled — "Human Trafficking: Hiding in Plain Sight." This community-focused program will take place on Wednesday , June 18, at The Greens at Irem Clubhouse, with registration beginning at 11:30 a.m. It is open to the public. Pennsylvania ranks ninth nationally in the number of human trafficking cases reported, and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton region is a designated hot spot for human trafficking, according to Tammi Burke, Chief Program Officer at the Victims Resource Center. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the hidden and often misunderstood issue of human trafficking in our region. Featured guest speakers include: —Thomas J. Mosca, Esquire — Attorney at Mosca Law and Co-Chair of the NEPA Task Force Against Human Trafficking. —Suzanne Beck, MPA — CEO of Victims Resource Center and Co-Chair of the NEPA Task Force Against Human Trafficking. —Tammi Burke — Chief Program Officer at Victims Resource Center and Leadership Member of the NEPA Task Force Against Human Trafficking. Together, the panelists will speak about how how human trafficking persists in local communities and what can be done to identify and combat it. Tickets are $25 per person and includes lunch. Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged. To reserve your seat, or for information, contact the Back Mountain Chamber at 570-675-9380, or nicole@ , or visit . Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
