One killed, one jailed in Washington County graduation party shooting

BUFFALO TWP., Pa. — One person is dead and another in jail after a shooting at a graduation party in Washington County on Saturday.

Richard Lawrence Rollison, 54, of Washington, was charged with homicide after a shooting incident at his home in the 500 block of Pleasant Valley Road, Buffalo Township.

According to the criminal complaint, police responded to the shooting at 10 p.m. and found that one person was shot twice in the chest. Spent shell casings were found around the victim, the document states.

The victim was identified as William Newman Jr., 50, of Washington, by the Washington County Coroner.

That report states that Newman is a neighbor of Rollison and was attending the graduation party when a domestic dispute occurred and he was shot.

Pennsylvania State police said witnesses reported that during the party they heard a “pop” around 9:50 p.m. and Rollison was found in the sunroom with Newman lying on his back on a concrete slab outside the sunroom.

A witness reported that she asked Rollison if he had stabbed Newman, and Rollison responded, “no, I shot him.”

Police said Rollison is known to carry a firearm, and a handgun belonging to him was found on the bed in his bedroom and matched the caliber of the spent shell casings.

According to the document, all the witnesses reported that Rollison and Newman were the only ones outside.

Rollison is currently held in the Washington County Jail after bail was denied. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 24. No attorney was listed for Rollison.

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