A Scranton man faces homicide charges in Thursday’s fatal shooting of a Monroe County man.
Yasim McDonald, 27, of Scranton, is charged with criminal homicide and tampering with evidence, Pocono Mountain Regional Police said in a media release.
At about 8 p.m. Thursday, police were called to 123 Chelsea Circle, Coolbaugh Twp., for the report of a man with a gunshot wound.
Officers found Layzon Breland in his bedroom, suffering from multiple wounds, including a head wound.
Witnesses said Breland had been in a fight in the front yard of the residence with an unknown man.
When Breland retreated into the home, the man, later identified as McDonald, forced his way into the house, armed with a handgun, police said.
McDonald chased Breland to the upstairs bedroom.
Breland then armed himself with a handgun and a gunfight ensued. He was struck multiple times, and died from his injuries, police said.
McDonald was also wounded during the incident.
McDonald fled from the house, leaving a trail of blood through the house and into the street.
Witnesses told officers he fled in a white vehicle.
Less than an hour later, McDonald appeared at a Scranton hospital with a gunshot wound, police said.
Officers used surveillance video to locate McDonald’s vehicle, noting what seemed to be blood and cleaning supplies inside it.
Officers searched both McDonald and his vehicle, as well as collecting DNA samples from the suspect’s blood trail inside and near the residence.
On Friday, a rapid DNA analysis test indicated that McDonald’s blood matched that at the crime scene, police said.
Further DNA and forensic testing is planned,
McDonald was arraigned Friday before Monroe County District Judge Phillip Riley. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 30.