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Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Miami Herald
Lowe's employee reported coworker to HR before deadly PA shooting, sister says
A Lowe's employee was shot three times, including twice in the head, during the culmination of an ongoing feud with a coworker, Pennsylvania authorities say. Christopher Wasnetsky, 36, has now been charged with murder following the June 14 fatal shooting at a Lowe's store, according to the Scranton Police Department. He reportedly said the victim in the shooting, Jeffrey Moeller, was harassing him for months before he was accused of shooting him. Moeller's sister, however, refutes his claim. Christina Moeller said her brother had reported Wasnetsky to the Lowe's human resources office multiple times 'due to ongoing concerns.' 'To our knowledge, the individual had been making troubling comments directed at Jeffrey,' she said in a GoFundMe. 'Despite Jeffrey's repeated reports, nothing was done.' Wasnetsky is accused of shooting Moeller in an unprovoked attack as the victim operated machinery, according to a criminal complaint obtained by The Times-Tribune. Police said Moeller asked for help when he fell to the ground, so Wasnetsky shot him two more times 'so he wouldn't suffer,' WVIA reported. Moeller was shot once in his back and twice in the head, according to a coroner's report obtained by WNEP. 'There was no altercation. No argument. Jeffrey was simply doing his job — the job he loved — and his life was stolen from him,' the victim's sister said in the GoFundMe. Wasnetsky turned himself in after he called 911 to report the shooting, according to WNEP. 'I'd like to report a shooting at Dickson City Lowe's,' he said during his 911 call, the news outlet reported. 'I was the person that did it.' Police said Moeller, who was found 'in a large pool of blood,' was pronounced dead in a hospital, according to WOLF. Wasnetsky told officers he had filed complaints of harassment against Moeller, but those claims were unfounded, according to the news outlet. Originally charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault, Wasnetsky now faces upgraded charges of first- and third-degree murder, police said. He was jailed in Lackawanna County without bail. Moeller was a father to three daughters, according to his sister, who called him a 'devoted' dad. 'Once they were all in school, he took on night shifts at Lowe's so he could still be present with his girls during the day,' his sister said on GoFundMe. 'That's just the kind of man he was — loyal, dedicated, and full of love for his family.' Scranton is about a 125-mile drive northwest from Philadelphia.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
Missing Park Ranger Found Dead Would 'Be Bummed That the Park Was Closed This Weekend'
Alec Campbell, a 38-year-old Pennsylvania park ranger, was reportedly found dead on May 25, two days after he went missing Campbell disappeared on Friday, May 23, after his kayak capsized in the Neshaminy Creek in Tyler State Park, according to reports The late park ranger leaves behind a wife and two sons, a GoFundMe campaign saidA Pennsylvania park ranger who disappeared while kayaking has been found dead. Alec Campbell, 38, went missing on Friday, May 23, after his kayak capsized in the Neshaminy Creek in Tyler State Park, according to ABC affiliates WHTM and WNEP. Authorities said on Sunday, May 25, that his body was recovered, WNEP and FOX affiliate WTXF-TV reported. The Bucks County Coroner's Office will determine Campbell's official cause of death, according to the reports. Campbell leaves behind his wife, Rena, and two sons, 8-year-old Calder and 5-year-old Miles, according to a GoFundMe campaign started to support his family. 'Alec was a bright and energetic light to all,' wrote Haley Richter, who organized the online fundraiser. She called the park resource ranger 'a beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend to his family and community.' Ryan Andrew Chudd, who described himself in a Facebook post as a close friend of Campbell's, said the late park ranger was 'a tremendous outdoorsman, smart, clever, kind, and radiant." "He'd be bummed that the park was closed this weekend while they search for him. So please, enjoy the outdoors where you can with your friends and family," Chudd said in the post on the "Bucks County Disc Golf Alliance Discussions" Facebook group. In a statement, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn described Campbell as 'a dedicated member of our Pennsylvania state park staff.' 'I've spoken with his wife and family, and on behalf of all of us at DCNR, I want them to know they are in our thoughts during this incredibly difficult time,' she said. 'Every day, state park employees play a vital role in welcoming visitors, protecting natural spaces, and ensuring the safety of all who enjoy Pennsylvania's beautiful park,' the secretary added. 'Alec's commitment and passion touched many lives and his loss is felt deeply across our entire community.' The department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a statement on X that he has ordered flags in Pennsylvania to fly at half-staff on Tuesday, May 27, in Campbell's honor. 'Lori and I are praying for the family and friends of Alec Campbell,' the governor said. He later added, 'As I told his wife Rena, we are eternally grateful for Alec's service to his Commonwealth. May his memory be a blessing.' Tyler State Park will remain closed on Monday, May 26, and reopen on Tuesday, according to WHTM and WNEP. More than $21,000 has been raised through the GoFundMe campaign, which aims to 'raise college funds and savings accounts' for Campbell's sons. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
10-Year-Old Missing After Being Swept Away While Playing in River, Officials Fear She May Have Gone Over Dam
Authorities said a group of children were playing in the Susquehanna River on May 4 when one of them, a 10-year-old girl, was pulled away by a current The other two other children were able to emerge from the water, said the South Williamsport Fire Department A South Williamsport school official confirmed that the missing girl is a third-grade student Pennsylvania authorities are searching for a missing 10-year-old girl who was last seen playing in the Susquehanna River over the weekend. In a Facebook post shared on Sunday, May 4, the South Williamsport Fire Department said they responded to a water rescue that morning after a passerby noticed children playing in the river and felt it was unsafe. '2 children were able to be coached out of the water, 1 adult went over the dam and was rescued by shore personnel (SWPD), and 1 child was unaccounted for,' the fire department wrote. Related: Missing Woman Drowned in River After Leaving Home with Drawers and Cabinets Open The fire department added that the search, which also involved resources from other counties, continued until dark. 'Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers as well as the responders,' the statement concluded. PEOPLE contacted the South Williamsport Fire Department and the South Williamsport Police Department for additional information. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Officials believe the girl may have gone over Hepburn Street Dam after being swept away, the Williamsport Sun-Gazette and ABC affiliate WNEP reported. Based on the information available, Fire Chief Jeff Trammell told the Williamsport was with two other children, 10 and 13, when a current pulled the girl away as she was floating. "They went over the dam, and the adult that was not in the water tried to make a rescue, and she went over the dam as well,' added Trammel, WNEP reported. The outlet reported that officials say the woman was able to get back to shore safely. Related: Father Drowns While Saving His 3 Kids from New Jersey River, Police Say Water rescue units spent over six hours Sunday searching the Susquehanna along the borough side, with authorities employing sonar, underwater cameras and drones, reported Penn Live. The search for the victim was expected to continue on Monday with the arrival of a state police marine unit, the outlet added. In a Facebook post shared on Sunday, Dr. Eric Briggs, superintendent of schools for the South Williamsport Area School District, confirmed with 'extreme sadness' that the missing girl is a third-grade student, 'Recognizing that this news will evoke a wide range of emotions from the student's classmates and even our own faculty, we have been working closely with our community to provide support to our students and staff,' Briggs wrote. Related: Father and Son Fishermen Rescue N.Y.C. Man Who Spent Night Treading Water Off N.J. Coastline 'The district will have school counselors, counseling staff from community agencies, and county officials to provide emotional support services as needed throughout the day tomorrow and in the upcoming weeks for our students and staff,' his statement continued. 'Our sincere sympathies and prayers go out to the family and friends of our student and everyone impacted by this event,' Briggs concluded. Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Revolting item monster mother and grandmother forced 12-year-old girl to eat while chained to bed
A Pennsylvania 12-year-old was chained to a bed and forced to eat cat food by her despicable mother and grandmother, police say. Amanda Lynn Gregorio, 35, and Stacey Ann Louder, 52, both of Exeter, have been accused severely neglecting and beating the defenseless girl they were supposed to be caring for. An investigation into the gut-wrenching abuse finally began in September 2024 after the child was rushed to the hospital with uncontrollable seizures. Gregorio allegedly admitted to drugging her daughter with 50 mg of Benadryl and 60 mg of melatonin prior to the medical emergency. Meanwhile, doctors noticed the child's malnourished body was covered in cuts, bruises and scars from being tethered, prompting them to raise an alarm to police. Visibly battered and shaken - weighing just 50 pounds at the time - the girl was placed into the custody of Luzerne County Children, Youth and Families, a child safety organization. When investigators spoke with the young victim, she revealed the shocking punishments and inhumane circumstances she suffered through at the hands of her mother and grandmother. She explained the women retrained her to her bed - forcing her to relieve herself there when she had to use the bathroom, according to reports obtained by The Citizens' Voice. A witness reportedly told police the child was chained to her mattress like 'Jesus on the cross' inside their home at the Birchwood Estates mobile home park. Security camera watched over the terrified child to ensure she had not escaped from her confinement, investigators said. 'The abuse of this child offends the sense of decency of every mother, grandmother, and otherwise respectable person imaginable,' Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce said. 'Once again, the very people to whom this child would look to keep her safe, were her assailants.' Another person familiar with the alleged inhumane living situation said Gregorio confessed to force-feeding her daughter cat food over the phone. The mother also claimed she did not want to tie down her daughter, by Louder forced her to, according to police. As the accused child abusers' facades continued to unravel, police learned of many other instances of the girl being injured over the years. In 2023 Gregorio allegedly bashed her daughter's head with a broom - causing a large bump and gash. Instead of seeking medical attention, Louder poured super glue over the wound, The Citizens' Voice reported. She showed up to school around the same time with a black-and-blue eye. She allegedly lied and told her teachers she got hurt by walking into a wall. Shortly after that, she was pulled from in-person classes and started going to school fully online. But the pain and fear the girl suffered dates back several years, WNEP reported. Her medical records reveal that she has been rushed to the emergency room with broken bones and fractures multiple times since 2017. After seven months of investigating the child's safety, Gregorio and Louder were arrested on Monday night. They were both charged with aggravated assault of a victim less than 13, conspiracy, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person, simple assault and tampering with evidence. Both women were locked up at Luzerne County Correctional Facility with bails set at $125,000. They are due in court on May 6. 'It is difficult to imagine the sense of hopelessness abused children in these situations must feel,' Sanguedolce said. 'We will seek the maximum penalties permitted by law in the hope of sending the message that this behavior deserves fierce punishment.'
Miami Herald
14-03-2025
- Miami Herald
Man celebrating his birthday fatally shot in dispute over DJ payment, PA official says
Three men with connections to a Venezuelan gang have been charged after a fatal gunfight broke out at a multiday party at a mountain rental in Pennsylvania, officials said. Oscar Quilarque Sosa, Oswaldo Odin Solorzano Sosa and Josthin Landaeta Perez are each charged with homicide and two counts of attempted homicide in the January killing of Lionardo Hernandez Zarata, Monroe County District Attorney Mike Mancuso announced in a March 12 Facebook post. Attorney information for the men was not available. Police responded Jan. 12 to reports of a shooting at a house in the Poconos that 22-year-old Hernandez Zarata rented to celebrate his birthday, Mancuso said. Officials said 'the scene was full of spent shell casings and bullet holes' and showed evidence that many people left in a hurry, leaving Hernandez Zarata dead with multiple gunshot wounds. 'Suitcases were left in the driveway, cell phones, cash, Venezuelan identification cards, all left behind,' Mancuso said. Two other men at the party were injured by gunfire, officials said. Investigators said a disagreement over the DJ's payment escalated into the deadly shootout, Lehigh Valley Live reported. Hernandez Zarata hired Jesus Sosa to DJ the party. When Sosa said he wasn't paid, he called his brothers, Oscar and Oswaldo Sosa, to confront him, the outlet reported. Photos shared by Mancuso show Landaeta Perez was with the brothers. The Sosa brothers and Hernandez Zarata had physical markings indicating their involvement in Tren de Aragua, WNEP reported, citing officials. 'Tren de Aragua is a transnational criminal organization that began as a prison gang in the Tocorón Prison in the state of Aragua in Venezuela,' Mancuso said. Oscar Quilarque Sosa and Landaeta Perez are in custody, and Oswaldo Solozano Sosa remains at large, according to Mancuso. All three are Venezuelan nationals, officials said.
