MONESSEN, Pa. — Two children were sleeping in their beds when a man was shot and killed inside his Monessen home late Tuesday night.
Dennis Fitzwater, 29, was found shot with duct tape around his wrists in a bedroom next to where a 5- and 2-year-old were sleeping.
“They were in a bedroom, probably only a few feet away from where the shooting occurred,” police Chief John Mandarino said.
Police said the children’s mother and her boyfriend were also inside the Chestnut Street home at the time of the shooting, but were not hurt.
Mandarino said two men with bandanas covering their faces and hoods on their heads threatened all the adults.
“The shooting occurred in an upstairs bedroom. The victim made it downstairs and collapsed in the kitchen,” Mandarino said.
Detectives said Fitzwater lived at the home with his girlfriend, but she was working at the time of the crime.
Channel 11’s Cara Sapida reported Fitzwater got out of jail about a week ago. He has a criminal history that includes theft and drug charges.
“I don’t know how long he was in jail for, but he just got out on Thursday. It’s only been a few days since he’s been out of jail,” Mandarino said.
Investigators have not said if the shooting was in relation to a break-in or robbery attempt. So far, no arrests have been made.
The children are safe and staying with relatives, officials said.
WPXI
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