Mercer County DA Rules Fatal Crossbow Shooting in Sharon Was Self-Defense

Bearing Arms reports that a Pennsylvania prosecutor will not charge the person who killed a 24-year-old man with a crossbow during a domestic incident, ruling the act self-defense. Writer Cam Edwards notes the case stands out because no firearm was involved.

Key points

• The incident: Police in Sharon, Pennsylvania, responded to a domestic call early on September 24 and found the man critically wounded by a crossbow bolt to the chest. He died at a local hospital.
• The ruling: Mercer County District Attorney Jacob Sander has announced that the shooter acted in self-defense and will not be charged.
• What is unknown: Edwards writes that the identity of the shooter, their relationship to the man, whether anyone else was in the home and the nature of the dispute have not been released, and likely will not be.
• The legal angle: He notes that self-defense laws generally do not specify a weapon, though New Jersey allows carrying only a gun or a small dose of chemical irritant for self-defense, a rule now being challenged.

Quick take

Edwards argues that the unusual weapon has no bearing on whether the shooting was justified. He cites the Supreme Court's Wolford ruling describing arms as "implements used for offense or defense," and says the same self-defense principle applies whatever tool is at hand. He adds that he would not recommend a crossbow for everyday carry.

Read the full story at Bearing Arms.