He displayed a photo showing the ax a few inches from Pickells foot. Authorities have stated that there is no danger to the public at this time, and the investigation is ongoing. William Leone said his brother missed the birth of his third child, a son, during his time in jail awaiting trial. Pickell turned away from Leone, and thats when he opened fire, hitting Pickell in the upper back. You have permission to edit this article. She said she saw things getting out of hand and walked over to plead with her husband to walk away, the affidavit states. Goldman said Leone repeatedly told Pickell to leave, firing the fatal blast when Pickell picked up a three-foot ax and was turning to throw it. Jury deliberating fate of Bethlehem Township man charged in neighbor's Im disappointed, Augustine said following the verdict. DA: Person in custody after Bethlehem Twp. According to the affidavit of probable cause for charging Leone, police dispatched for a male victim shot with a shotgun at Leones home discovered the victim lying in a pool of blood in the driveway. Joshua Leone, 35, was arraigned on the. 4 men charged in Bethlehem Township home, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Human remains found in Stroudsburg identified as woman missing since last year, 4 men charged in Bethlehem Township home invasion; 2 were shot by resident, one is at large, Bryan Kohbergers former school district wont talk. When Bethlehem Township police were called to the neighborhood Tuesday, they found a woman kneeling next to Pickell, who was lying in a pool of blood in Leones driveway, court papers say. 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BETHLEHEM, PA - Four suspects were charged with robbery and home invasion in Bethlehem Township early Thursday morning, according to District Attorney Terry Houck. A Northampton County jury on Tuesday acquitted a Bethlehem Township man of all charges in the shooting death of his neighbor nearly two years ago. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. During the home invasion, which occurred at approximately 4 a.m. in the 2000 block of Willow Park Road, four men broke into the residence where three occupants were present. State Police were seen investigating on Hahns Dairy Road in Lower Towamensing Township, as of . Pickell said her son, a Phillipsburg High School alum who played varsity football for the Liners, left behind a 5-year-old son whom he adored. I wanted to console her, Dominguez said. 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A resident told 69 News gunshots were heard in the area around 2:45 p.m. Testimony in Lehigh Township murder: 'Johnny, what are you doing Police: Man shot when trying to get into Washington County home This was first-rate work by the Bethlehem Township Police Department. The woman told police she and Pickell were going out for a walk around the residential neighborhood just west of Santee Road, and exited the house to find Leone breaking up furniture in front of his home, police said. District Attorney Houck commended the Bethlehem Township Police Department for their swift response to the situation. Neighbors said the shooting brought a sense of uncertainty to what is normally a safe area. On Monday, March 27, District Attorney Terry Houck announced criminal homicide charges against 76-year-old William Arthur Strunk in relation to a July 2022 shooting that left one victim dead. Bethlehem Police Department, Bethlehem, PA - Facebook Ferrando was hit in the leg, the release said. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. He was a very good neighbor, a great father. Intruders shot in Bethlehem Township home invasion, 1 of 4 suspects at Hes not a violent person, hes not an angry person. Instead, the verdict sided with Leone, who contended he was justified in fatally shooting Pickell, who lived across the street from Leone on Clifton Avenue. Motive in Bethlehem Township deadly shooting a - lehighvalleylive Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). State Police Washington are investigating a shooting late Sunday night In East Bethlehem Township. The events leading to the Feb. 23, 2021 slaying were partially captured by the security camera on Leones home. Leone and family members in the courtroom broke down into tears as the verdict was read around 12:20 p.m. Tuesday. After about eight hours of deliberation that began Monday afternoon, the jury found Joshua Leone, 36, not guilty in the Feb. 23, 2021 death of Kenneth Pickell, 31. Leone was arraigned Tuesday night before District Judge Jacqueline Taschner on a single count of criminal homicide, and was sent to Northampton County Prison without the possibility of bail, police said. Responding officers shortly after 2:30 p.m. found Pickells wife beside him as he was lying in a pool of blood in the driveway. Suspect charged in Bethlehem Township homicide - WFMZ.com Clifton Avenue, located off Santee Road, was closed, between Millstone Drive and Lowell Place, to allow emergency vehicle access only. Pictured, Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania man, Justin Kephart. Charges announced for deadly Lehigh Twp. shooting DA: Resident shot 2 home invaders | Lehigh Valley Regional News | wfmz.com A Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania family has been decimated following the rampages of a 36 year old son who last Friday shot dead his 62 year old mother . Officers were called to the Lower Nazareth Commons off Route 248 . Target parking lot shooting leaves 1 person dead in Lower Nazareth Few details are available, but Troopers say an unidentified 26 year old man went to a home along Ziskand Road just after 10 p.m. Despite sunshine with unseasonably warm temperatures on Wednesday, the neighborhood was quiet. A 29-year-old homeless woman is facing her own set of charges following an incident at a Bethlehem Township hotel room, in which her boyfriend allegedly possessed drugs and a handgun involved in a . YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. That shooting happened around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday on the 500 block of Longacre Drive in the Cherryville section of Lehigh Township. One person was killed and another injured in a shooting at a busy shopping center in Lower Nazareth Township, Northampton County. Pickells wife told investigators she pleaded with her husband to walk away, police said. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. standoff: Neighbor finds wounded woman, gets pinned by gunfire Hear the shots that sent Bethlehem Twp. Adam Zaborowski, 35, faces attempted homicide charges in both Friday's incident outside Cigars International in Northampton County's Bethlehem Township and Saturday's confrontation with police. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Pickell fell to the ground and began to bleed, having suffered a significant gunshot wound to the left upper back area, the police investigator wrote in court papers. Mostly cloudy with some occasional showers moving through. A man is charged with criminal homicide for shooting his neighbor in the back during an argument Tuesday afternoon in Bethlehem Township, police said. Morning Call reporter Sarah M. Wojcik can be reached at 610-778-2283 or swojcik@mcall.com. Pickells wife told police she and her husband went outside to walk the dog and noticed Leone breaking up furniture in front of his house. Pickells wife also witnessed Leone holding a shotgun and a revolver and that Kenneth Pickell began to turn around and that is when she saw Leone shoot her husband in the back, court records state. Daniel Patrick Sheehan is a reporter covering crime and courts in the Lehigh Valley. The affidavit has been sealed to protect the integrity of the investigation. 2023 The Washington Broadcasting Co. All Rights Reserved. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Police: 2 killed in Chestnut Hill shooting believed to be murder-suicide Delgado, Matas, and Ferrando. An autopsy conducted on the body Wednesday determined the cause of death was a single shotgun wound to the back and the manner is homicide, according to Northampton County District Attorney Terry Houck. According to defense attorney Robert Goldman, Leone, frightened by the approach of the much larger Pickell, backed up 18 feet to the rear of the garage, where he picked up a shotgun. Man killed in apparent neighbor dispute in Bethlehem Township, DA says. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. "They were good neighbors, always said hello and waved to the kids who were always outside playing," Walters said. . man will claim self-defense in deadly shooting, Stormcenter - School / Business Application. All rights reserved (About Us). Suspect charged in Bethlehem Township homicide, Stormcenter - School / Business Application. Bethlehem Township - Northampton County, Pennsylvania Were just in a state of shock because Josh is the nicest person, the kindest person, she said. '115 gunshots' Bethlehem Township man shoots mother and then self dead The resident said the victim has not lived in the neighborhood for very long. Police said a suspect was taken into custody without incident. Few details are available, but Troopers say an unidentified 26 year old man went to a home along Ziskand Road just after 10 p.m. It adds up to premeditation, not self-defense, the prosecutor insisted. He always helped any neighbor. Its a family neighborhood where kids play on the streets, people walk their dogs and everyone greets each other in a friendly manner.. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. I felt like we had some good arguments and good evidence for a first-degree murder conviction. But he. A Northampton County jury is now deciding the fate of a Bethlehem Township man charged with shooting his neighbor in 2021. Shapiro signs bill requiring insurers to cover preventive breast, ovarian cancer screenings for high-risk women at no cost, At least 2 displaced after fire damages house in Allentown, Monday is the last day to register to vote in Pa. primary election, Berks County Trail Challenge encouraging people to get outside and improve their health and wellness, RAWA tanks back at normal levels, water conservation order lifted, Former Berks doctor to spend decades in prison for recording, assaulting underage victims, Chain serving 'quick and healthful' salads, stir-fry, desserts to open 1st Berks location, Police respond to threat at Oley Township school, RAWA lifts water conservation notice for Reading, Royals tickets go on sale for North Division Final home games, Qantas names chief financial officer Vanessa Hudson next CEO, Chinese electric vehicle brands expand to global markets. The neighborhood is filled with multifamily homes. Police found a gunshot wound to Pickells left upper back area. He was a loving son and a loving father, Pickell said, her voice breaking with emotion. As investigators look for answers, so do the people who live in the community. Error! BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. - A neighbor dispute appears to have led to deadly gunfire in a Northampton County neighborhood. Pickells family left the courtroom immediately after the verdict. Why First Republic failed. A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for March 9 before District Judge Patricia Broscius to determine if there is sufficient evidence to send the case toward trial in Northampton County Court. She said Pickell began turning away from Leone when Leone shot him in the back, the affidavit states. Her son was staying in her home on Clifton Avenue and had quickly made friends with Leone, a neighbor. Joshua Leone of Bethlehem Township was charged with homicide in the death of Kenneth Pickell in February. The shooting happened in the garage of Leones home after the men engaged in a heated confrontation in Leones driveway. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. The day before the shooting, he allegedly had been taunting Pickells girlfriend with a laser pointer. She told police Josh had shot her husband, according to the affidavit of probable cause for charging Leone. Neighbors said they didnt really know the Pickells, but described Leone, his wife and their two young children as nice people. An autopsy determined he died from a single gunshot wound to his back. One man was killed and another taken into custody in what police called a neighbor dispute. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Once Leone was in custody, the shelter-in-place order was lifted and the schools taken out of lockdown. DA: Family dispute led to Lehigh Twp. homicide - 6abc Philadelphia When Bethlehem Township police were called to the neighborhood Tuesday, they found a woman kneeling next to Pickell, who was lying in a pool of blood in Leone's driveway, court papers say. Man killed in apparent neighbor dispute in Bethlehem Township, DA says Bethlehem Township man charged with criminal - The Morning Call Bethlehem Township hereby gives notice of the 30-day public comment period for its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination (NPDES) Stormwater Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Pollutant Reduction Plan (PRP). 2008-2023 - Shore News Media & Marketing Ltd. Co. All rights reserved. At approximately 6:37 a.m. Stark County Sheriff's Deputies were called to the 9500 block of Sherman Church Avenue SW in Bethlehem Township in response to an individual who had been . This is just devastating.. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. He's charged in the Tuesday afternoon homicide in the 3000 block of Clifton Avenue in Bethlehem Township. They, along with Delgado, were in custody. Bethlehem Township man accused of fatally shooting his neighbor, police Suspect in custody after shooting death Wednesday morning in Bethlehem Leone went to his garage, and she told police she saw him holding a shotgun and revolver and inviting Pickell to come inside. App of the Day: Poolsuite FM, What the Tech? They could be seen through a second-floor window taking pictures inside. The suspects were identified as Millito Delgado, 45; Michael Matas, 29; Francis Ferrando, 23; and Anthony Santiago, 29. Matas, hit seven times, was in critical but stable condition and is expected to survive. homicide shot victim in the back, Suspect charged in Bethlehem Township homicide, In-person Bethlehem Township municipal meetings to resume in June, Bethlehem Township proposes special permits for large events, Testimony begins at trial of man charged in neighbor's shooting death, 'Can't wait to see everyone': After 3-year hiatus, beloved Easton deli nears reopening, How do you know your money is safe? It will also be breezy and cool. West New York teen charged with sexual asssault of 12-year-old girl, Baby owl found alongside road healthy enough to be re-nested, Holmdel Police Senior Assassin game going a bit too far, cautions students, Cambridge Man Charged with Attempted Murder and Child Abuse, Successful Hauppauge gun buyback nets 462 guns, NYPD releases photo of suspect wanted for slashing 15-year-old boys face during robbery, Man robbed of necklace at gunpoint in the Bronx, 67-year-old man sleeping on NYC subway train woken up, beat with stick, Shooting in Northeast DC Leaves Teen Hospitalized, Hollywood studios say talks with writers have ended with no deal. According to the criminal complaint, Pickell's wife told the police that her husband. I want to thank Chief Gregory Gottschall and his officers for their immediate response and attention to detail in this case. Although there is still much to do, I am confident no stone will be unturned in our effort to apprehend the fourth male, he said. L. TOWAMENSING TWP., Pa. - Pennsylvania State Police are asking for help locating the person responsible for a shooting in Carbon County. Houck said Pickells death has been ruled a homicide. Authorities charged Joshua Leone, 35, with homicide, alleging he shot Kenneth Pickell, 31, in the back Tuesday afternoon following an argument at the end of Leones driveway in a normally quiet neighborhood of multifamily homes. They are currently in police custody, while Santiago remains at large. What led to Justin Kephart, a Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania son fatally shooting his mother before shooting himself dead after 8 hour police stand-off? Santiago remained at large, though police said they dont believe there is any danger to the public. E-mail address: bethlehempolice@bethlehem-pa.gov For Public Information Officer: PolicePIO@bethlehem Police said a suspect was taken into custody without incident. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. No matter how long you do these cases, every case is fraught with a lot of emotion, Goldman said after the verdict. Jurors got the case around 2:30 p.m. Monday and worked until about 9 p.m. But Pleasant Valley turned over records for Idaho case, Police investigating body found near burned pickup truck on Schuylkill County road, Allentown ballot initiative could send social workers instead of police to some crisis situations, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Hes being held without bail in Northampton County Jail. To reach Bethlehem Township police in a non-emergency, call Northampton. Joshua Anthony Leone, of the 3100. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. A 26-year-old man was flown by medical helicopter to an area hospital after being shot in East Bethlehem Township, Washington County, Sunday night. Morning Call reporter Andrew Scott can be reached at 610-820-6508 or ascott@mcall.com. Leone by that point was in the garage of his home, and the woman could hear him inviting Pickell inside, court records say. He died at the scene a short time later. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). Joshua Leone of Bethlehem Township was charged with homicide in the death of Kenneth Pickell in February. He also said her testimony had changed; at Leones preliminary hearing in April 2021, she said she hadnt entered the garage, but testified on Friday that she had. Theres one way in and one way out of Clifton Avenue, a man noted to lehighvalleylive.com, saying residents immediately can spot something out of the ordinary. Bethlehem Township officer involved in standoff: 'My instincts kicked The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. She was tending to the dog when she noticed Pickell and Leone arguing in the driveway. The Northampton County coroner has been called to a shooting in Bethlehem Township, and one person is in custody, dispatchers and police said. Gets a little rowdy on Fourth of July, but otherwise quiet., This is a neighborhood where something like this doesnt happen, she said.