JEFFERSON COUNTY, Pa. (EYT) — According to Punxsutawney-based State Police, a Brookville man has been charged with Criminal Attempt/Homicide along with previous charges stemming from an Aggravated Assault that occurred around 11:34 p.m. on August 7, at a residence along State Route 28, in Pine Creek Township, Jefferson County.
Based upon a continuing investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police and consultation with the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office, on August 11, an additional charge of Criminal Attempt/Homicide was filed against 64-year-old Donald Guy Shaffer, of Brookville.
Shaffer was arraigned before Judge Gregory Bazylak and is currently in the Jefferson County Jail based upon $500,000.00 cash bail.
He faces the following charges:
– one count Criminal Attempt — Murder Of The First Degree
– two counts of Aggravated Assault, Felony 1, Felony 2
– two counts of Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
– one count of Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Misdemeanor 2
– one count of Harassment, Summary
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 2, 2014, at 3:30 p.m. at District Court 54-3-03.
On August 8, at approximately 12:01 a.m., PSP Trooper Randy Powell was dispatched to 196 Route 28, Pine Creek Township, Jefferson County, for a report that 64-year-old Donald Guy Shaffer, of Brookville, had allegedly assaulted his wife with a baseball bat.
Prior to arrival, Powell was advised that the victim had been transported to Altoona UPMC for treatment of wounds to the head and body. Upon arrival, Trooper Powell noted what appeared to be droplets of blood on the steps and sidewalk near the front door of the residence.
On August 8, at approximately 1:01 a.m. Trooper Powell interviewed Trooper Ryan Butka, PSP Punxsutawney Patrol Unit, who advised that he had entered the residence and was in the process of taking Donald Shaffer into custody and securing the scene. Trooper Butka explained he observed what appeared to be blood at the foot of the bed and a blood smear on the wall near the front door.
Trooper Butka explained that while Shaffer was being placed in custody, he allegedly made the statement, “I lost it. I had enough.”
On August 8, around 1:15 a.m. Trooper Powell interviewed Trooper Richard Litak, PSP Punxsutawney, who explained he had interviewed a neighbor who said the victim had arrived at her residence bleeding from the head and had told her Donald Shaffer had struck her with a baseball bat.
On August 11, around 11:45 a.m., Trooper Powell interviewed the victim at PSP Clarion. She related her husband entered her bedroom and allegedly struck her multiple times on the head and torso with a baseball bat and his fists. She also stated her husband allegedly attempted to choke her while she was in the bedroom.
She described the attack as “vicious” and stated that “she believed if she had not been able to flee the residence, she would have been killed.”
Shaffer was arrested without incident at the scene.
PSP Punxsutawney were assisted at the scene by Brookville Borough Police Department and Jefferson County EMS.
PSP Huntingdon assisted at the Altoona Hospital.
