SUNBURY, NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Sunbury police are looking for a man they say is involved in a bar shooting that left one man dead.
According to the Sunbury Police Department, on Sunday, September 25, around 2:30 a.m., officers responded to a reported shooting at the Laughter’s Bar in the 100 block of South Third Street in Sunbury.
Once arriving on the scene, police say they saw a group of people giving CPR to a man, later identified as Joseph Rice, 33.
Investigators stated that a bartender informed police they saw a woman pick up a machete/knife from the ground and place it inside a vehicle in the parking lot.
Upon further investigation, it was discovered that three women, met up with Rice at the parking lot of the bar, according to court documents.
The three women were brought in for an interview with police where they stated that Rice was armed with a machete/knife and appeared to be agitated and waving the weapon around, police said.
As stated in the affidavit, at one point Rice pointed the machete/knife against one of the women’s faces and pinned her up against a car.
Investigators say a man identified as Randy Eston, 42, of Sunbury, exited the bar to speak with Rice when an argument started between the two.
Police say Easton pulled out a gun and fired three shots at Rice as he was running away, striking him once in the back.
According to Northumberland County Coroner James F. Kelley, Rice was pronounced dead on the scene. the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the torso.
Easton has been charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and gun-related charges.
Police warn Easton is considered armed and dangerous, anyone with information regarding his location should contact Sunbury Police.