MIDDLEBURG – An argument over an electric bill has a tenant hospitalized in critical condition and his Snyder County landlord in jail in lieu of $200,000 bail charged with attempted homicide.
Justin T. Yerger, 41, is accused of shooting Chad Howard in the head during a fight Monday night in his residence in the 100 block of Molly Lane in Middleburg.
The following is what Yerger told police, according to the arrest affidavit:
He was upset Howard was behind on paying his electric bill while at the same time using more electricity.
He shut off the electricity at the box. Howard came home, discovered the power was off, confronted him and then threatened him.
He pulled a .22-caliber revolver from his sweatshirt pocket and fired a round toward Howard. He saw blood coming from Howard’s head when he fell down.
A man who tried to take the gun from Yerger claims the weapon was pointed at him, the affidavit states. The gun was located in Yerger’s residence, District Attorney Michael Piecuch said.
Howard was flown to Geisinger Medical Center near Danville where a spokesperson said Tuesday he was in critical condition. He is expected to survive, Piecuch said.
Besides attempted homicide Yerger is charged with aggravated and simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and possession of an instrument of crime.
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