A 47-year-old Dunmore man died after being shot by his son on Sunday evening, Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher said. Police are evaluating claims the shooting was justifed and in defense of others.
Dunmore patrol officers responded to 401 Mortimer St. around 8:31 p.m. for the report of a domestic disturbance and found a male with a single gunshot wound, investigators said.
The victim — identified as Frederick Zantowsky Jr. — lived at the residence and was transported to Geisinger Community Medical Center, where he died from his injuries, police said.
Police detained the shooter — identified by Gallagher as Zantowsky’s son — at the same address. Police did not list a name or age of the son.
After cooperating with detectives who conducted interviews at the crime scene, the shooter was released, pending further investigation, police said.
Gallagher noted Zantowsky — who was showing signs of intoxication — brandished a firearm and pointed it at his son and other family members, including an 8-year-old child.
“The deceased’s son fired his own weapon one time, striking the victim”, Gallagher said.
Detectives believe the shooting was an isolated inciden and there is no ongoing threat to the public, Gallagher added.
The cause and manner of death will be determined by the Lackawanna County Coroner’s Office, police said.
The Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office, Throop police, Pennsylvania Ambulance, the Pennsylvania State Police Forensic Services Unit, and the Lackawanna County Coroner’s Office assisted Dunmore officers at the scene, investigators said.
Investigators from the Dunmore Police Department and prosecutors from the District Attorney’s Office remain actively engaged in completing a thorough investigation, Gallagher said.