Washington County man injured after shooting, standoff

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A man suffered an injury to the head after a shooting that took place at 53 Clark St. shortly before 8 p.m. on Saturday, according to East Bethlehem police.

Cpl. William Dennison and Officer Cunningham of the East Bethlehem Township Police Department were the first to arrive at the scene.

Though the SWAT team was called to assist in clearing the home, Dennison felt he had no choice but to clear the residence with the officers at the scene rather than wait for the SWAT team to arrive.

Dennison said he saw the victim, Gerald Clinton, laying face up on the floor and suffering from an injury to his head.

Dennison then said he called out to the Clinton to see if he was OK, and Clinton struggled to respond while stating, “Reginald Silfies did it.”

Dennison saw a lever action rifle laying on a counter near the victim as well as a .22-caliber revolver laying on the floor by the kitchen sink.

Both weapons were near the victim, according to Dennison.

Dennison then interviewed two neighbors who stated that Silfies had been at the residence arguing with Clinton and then left, only to return a short time later.

According to witnesses, after Silfies entered the residence for the second time, they heard a gunshot and then observed Silfies leave the residence.

Dennison believes a verbal argument led to Silfies’ unlawful presence inside Clinton’s residence and that Clinton shot two rounds from a revolver at Silfies.

In retaliation, Dennison believes that Silfies then struck Clinton in the head multiple times with the buttstock of a gun and then left the residence.

Prior to being taken by Life Flight to Allegheny General Hospital, Dennison said Clinton stated that Silfies caused his injuries.

According to police, Silfies has been taken into custody.

WPXI