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Man fatally shoots stepfather, self in Lawrence Co.

WAYNE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A man is accused of fatally shooting his stepfather before turning the gun on himself Friday night in Wayne Township, Lawrence County, police said.

According to authorities, Justin Burnett, 29, shot and killed Douglas Weingartner, 60, inside an Ellwood Road home about 10:30 p.m.

The murder-suicide happened after an argument between the two men, investigators said.

"It's a very sad situation for the family, also the mother, and it's just a plain catastrophe," said John Cernus.

Police said Burnett went to Weingartner's bedroom and shot him four times with a .40-caliber handgun. Burnett then fatally shot himself in the living room of the home.

Weingartner owned an Ellwood City auto body shop, a family-owned business that had been in operation for more than 75 years.

"He was a wonderful friend. Always there to help everybody out and he'll be sorely missed in our community," said Ellwood City Mayor Anthony Court.