Indiana Co. man accused of slaying father-in-law during domestic dispute

INDIANA, Pa. — Authorities said a shooting death in North Mahoning Township early Sunday morning apparently stemmed from a domestic dispute.

Investigators said 32-year-old Shaun Fairman shot and killed his father-in-law, Richard Shotts at his estranged wife’s house at 1 a.m.

The county coroner told WPXI reporter Brandon Hudson Fairman was armed with a rifle and shotgun when he went to go confront his wife, Jessica Fairman, at her home.

Authorities said the victim tried to stop Fairman and protect his family.

Police said when the victim lowered his gun to try and talk him down, Fairman shot and killed him in the neck.

Police said the suspect was wounded in the shooting and released to state police after receiving treatment at Punxsutawney Hospital.

“The accused then entered the house through a broken window and attempted going up the steps,” Lieutenant Bernard Petrovsky told Hudson. “We’re assuming (he did this) to go and confront his wife. That’s when she was up there, she shot him.”

Police said Jessica Fairman had a restraining order against her estranged husband and wanted to divorce him.

Officials said the shooting was unrelated to what they called as suspicious deaths of three people found after fires in two mobile homes elsewhere in the county.

WPXI