Man shot inside local bar had never met alleged attacker

CHICORA, Pa. — A Butler County man is undergoing surgery Wednesday after being shot in the chest Sunday morning.

Heath Schrecengost of Karns City was out celebrating his girlfriend’s 21st birthday inside a Chicora bar.

"He was in the wrong place at the wrong time," said Schrecengost's aunt, Debra Reed.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, Gary Ellenberger entered the bar carrying a sawed-off shotgun, walked up to Schrecengost and shot him in the chest.

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Police told Channel 11 the two did not know each other and had no interaction.

"(Heath) didn't know him, he didn't interact with him. A total stranger," Reed said.

Police say Ellenberger fled and they later caught him at his home.

Schrecengost's family says he has a young daughter who misses him. He's in a medically induced coma with a punctured lung, and underwent two surgeries Wednesday.

"He's going to pull through. We need him to pull through," Reed said. "It's just going to take a while."

To help them with medical expenses, CLICK HERE.

Cox Media Group